Congress's trump card: Chiranjeevi likely to become Andhra Pradesh CM

Updated: Thursday, February 27, 2014, 15:08 [IST]

Hyderabad, Feb 27: Ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha election, Congress may use its trump card in Andhra Pradesh. After getting the Telangana bill passed, Congress may appoint Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi as the new Chief Minister (CM) of the state.

According to media reports, it is his Kapu caste that will play a significant role in the process of becoming the CM of Andhra Pradesh, a dream role of the cine star-cum-politician.

Over the ruckus over Telangana Bill and Andhra Pradesh bifurcation, Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned as the CM of the state. Now, Congress may project Chiranjeevi as the CM till the time the state goes for assembly election due by May 2014.

Chiranjeevi's Kapu caste will play significant role in process of becoming CM

Popular actress of Tollywood Chiranjeevi launched his Praja Rajyam Party (PPP) in 2008 and made his electoral debut in 2009. As it was expected, the megastar managed to get an impressive almost 16 per cent of the vote share. Three things were believed to had worked for him -- his celebrity status, his move for social justice and a strong support from his Kapu community to which he belongs. Kapus make up a big 19 per cent of the population of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Incidentally, Chiranjeevi had criticised Congress when it moved ahead with tabling the Telangana Bill in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He also opposed the bifurcation of the state. Slamming the central government, Chiranjeevi had said that the controversial bill was brought without consultation with leaders of the state except the Chief Minister, much to the cheer of the opposition who chanted "shame shame".

The leader was quoted as saying, Being a Congressman speaking against my own party is painful. I am talking on behalf of all Telugu people and not of any one region. All Telugu people made me what I am today..."

"We must pause for a moment and think. The issue is livelihood of 11 crore Telugu people. I am pained people are deprived of their basic rights. I feel heartbroken. We have to respect emotions of people...anxiety of Seemandhra people," he added. Now, the same Congress apparently is going to project Chiranjeevi as the CM.

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