Chiranjeevi inaugurated his party office in Hyderabad

Superstar Chiranjeevi added to the intrigue surrounding his political entry by inaugurating the headquarters of his proposed party in relative secrecy in the dead of the night.

The actor’s penchant for building up suspense about his plans and his secretive ways are getting on the nerves of senior leaders who quit other parties to follow him.

Keeping the script under wraps may be good in tinsel town, but does not really impress those in the political arena, where going public is the name of the game. Chiranjeevi inaugurated his party office on Road No. 46 of Jubilee Hills here in a discreet manner at 00.55 am on Monday. It was a totally family affair.

Even his fans were not aware of the programme until it commenced and was telecast live on TV. Pujas were performed in the presence of Chiranjeevi’s mother, wife Surekha, brothers and film actors Nagendra Babu and Pawan Kalyan and son Ravi Charan Teja. Brother-in-law Allu Arvind and close aides Dr Mitra and K.S.R. Murthy were also present at the ceremony.

The Congress MP, Mr Ch. Harirama Jogaiah, and the former TD leader, Mr K. Vidyadhara Rao, were bystanders. Mr Jogaiah said he would quit the Congress on August 17. Even after opening the party office, the superstar was not willing to reveal anything about the date of launch of his party, its name and agenda. The only thing he was ready to disclose was that he was entering politics. “I will announce the new political outfit in a week and place before the people its name, shape and agenda,” was all that he said.

Apparently, the actor has not revealed anything to the senior leaders who defected from other parties either. “Chiranjeevi is keeping his cards close to his chest,” said a senior leader. “Though we meet him often, he doesn’t discuss his political plans with us. Everyone is kept in the dark.” Meanwhile, the Chiranjeevi camp intensified its efforts to pull in more prospective leaders from the Congress and the Telugu Desam.
The actor also asked his followers and fans to take part in the relief and rehabilitation measures in flood hit areas across the state. Sources said Chiranjeevi will be performing a two day Chandi Homam at Goddess Kamakshi temple in Kancheepuram near Chennai on August 21 and 22.