Tirupati dresses-up for Chiru's party launch

Tirupati, Aug 24: Tirupati is being dekked like a bride for Aug 26 when Telugu matinee idol Chiranjeevi would formally launch his much-awaited political party at a public meeting. With just two days left for the launch, the actor's fans and supporters were actively involved in erecting a 'grand' venue for the event.

Chiranjeevi's brother-in-law Allu Aravind, who is in-charge of party campaign, is monitoring the arrangements. Former TDP MLA N V Prasad, who was expelled from the party recently, was also seen keenly involved in the programmes. According to sources, more than five lakh people, including Non-Resident Indians, are expected to attend the meeting.

The Railways were planning to run more than 18 special trains from various parts of the state to Tirupati, while the APSRTC would operate additional bus services in view of the 'mega' event.

All the seats were already booked in most of the Tirupati-bound trains. Same was said to be the case with the Indian Airlines flights and other private airlines like Deccan and Kingfisher, the sources claimed.

A 500-feet-long and 15-feet-high dais would be erected at the site and a media room to accommodate about 400 newspersons would be set up.

The event organisers had already booked rooms at all big and small hotels in the town. Wedding and conference halls were also rented for the purpose. Half of the rooms in the the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Srinivasam Complex, with a total 700 rooms, is likely to be booked by the event managers.

Meanwhile, a heavy security blanket was thrown over the venue in view of the recent terrorist attacks in various parts of the country. As many as 3,000 police personnel would be deployed and about 20 private guards would provide security to Chiranjeevi.

UNI