My actor versus your actor is Andhra politics

Megastar Chiranjeevi may have launched his own party but there are many other actors who are scripting a new political campaign in Andhra Pradesh, one in which the reel stars often push the real politicians to the background.

Megastar Chiranjeevi may have launched his own party but there are many other actors who are scripting a new political campaign in Andhra Pradesh, one in which the reel stars often push the real politicians to the background. The latest to join the star-studded political bandwagon is Telugu superstar Akkineni Nagarjuna, famous for his angry young man roles in both Telugu and Hindi films.

While Nagarjuna has not really aligned himself with the Congress, he has been appearing in TV advertisements of state-sponsored housing and medical insurance schemes, taking over from Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who was earlier seen in such two-minute commercials.

However, it is still unclear if Nagarjuna actually nurses any political ambititons. In the run-up to the 2004 elections too, the actor had appeared in TDP-sponsored advertisements asking people to vote. He is also a friend of Chiranjeevi. When contacted, his office said Nagarjuna was busy shooting and refused to comment.

The Congress is likely to use Nagarjuna to counter Chiranjeevi as well as the star-studded TDP. The party has already roped in actor Rajasekhar and Telugu heroine Jayasudha, who was admitted as a member recently. Veteran superstar Krishna is also campaigning for the Congress. Krishna8217;s son Mahesh Babu, the current heartthrob of Tollywood, is likely to accompany him.

The TDP, on the other hand, has the backing of the entire NTR family, including the extremely popular Balakrishna, son of N T Rama Rao. Balakrishna8217;s actor brother, Harikrishna, and their sons, Kalyam Ram and Taraka Ratna, will also campaign for the TDP.

8220;The two young upcoming actors were introduced to politics on November 5 at the TDP8217;s successful public meeting 8216;Yuva Garjana8217; held at Guntur. The party also has the support of NTR8217;s third grandson,

Junior NTR, but he could not attend the programme as he was busy shooting for his film,8221; said party MP and politburo member K Yerrannaidu.

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And with the Prajarajyam Party headed by megastar Chiranjeevi, and supported by his actor brothers Nagendra Babu and Pawan Kalyan, there is a lot of star power in Andhra politics. When campaigning starts in a couple of months, Chiranjeevi is likely to rope in other film stars to accompany him.

8220;You cannot deny the fact that in Andhra Pradesh, film stars attract more audience, whether on TV or at a public meeting. That is why 8212; and because Chiranjeevi is in fray now 8212; other parties are scrambling to rope in film stars. Political leaders may have to take the backseat for the time being,8221; said State PCC spokesperson K Mritunjaya, adding, 8220;though the Congress has roped in several film stars, it won8217;t be a party of film stars 8212; their services may be taken for campaigning only.8221;

So often, the three main parties are more in the news because of what the actors say or do rather than any political issues. Earier this week, at the TDP8217;s 8220;Yuva Garjana8221; rally in Guntur, the crowds were more interested in their matinee idol Balakrishna than party chief N Chandrababu Naidu. He was clearly the star, sending the fans into raptures as he delivered some of NTR8217;s famous dialogues.

Ignoring the wishes of some senior leaders, the TDP is trying to placate Junior NTR, who wants his friend, a film director, to be given an Assembly ticket. 8220;There are many other contenders for the Gannavaram Assembly ticket. While Junior NTR wants it to be given to his friend, Balakrishna, who is also Naidu8217;s brother-in-law, wants it for his friend. Meanwhile, deserving TDP leaders who work tirelessly for the party would be ignored. But that is a price we may have to pay,8221; said a TDP leader.

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And when NTR8217;s daughter, Daggubati Purandeshwari, Congress MP and minister of state for Human Resource Development, warned her brothers not to support Naidu, it was Balakrishna who responded rather than the TDP chief. Balakrishna told newspersons that the Congress may have compelled her to release a letter and CD to damage Naidu8217;s reputation.

A Congress leader admitted: 8220;Actress Jayasudha is talked about more in the party than Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, the CM8217;s son 8212;- whether she will contest the polls, and if so, from where.8221;