The political migration towards "Praja Rajyam", floated by Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, continued with former TDP MP C Ramachandraiah on Saturday joining the party.
HYDERABAD: The political migration towards "Praja Rajyam", floated by Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, continued with former TDP MP C Ramachandraiah on Saturday joining the party and vowing to work for its success in the year's elections.
Ramachandraiah, a former Rajya Sabha member and prominent backward class leader from Kadapa district, joined the new party in the presence of the actor.
Ramachandraiah, who was with TDP since its inception in 1982 and held several key positions in the regional party, had resigned from Rajya Sabha recently following differences with TDP leadership.
Speaking at Praja Rajyam Party office here, he said he was drawn towards Chiranjeevi's ideals of social justice, equality and corruption-free governance.
"I am confident that under Chiranjeevi's leadership, we will usher in the much-needed change in the society," he said. Ramachandraiah, once considered a close confidant of TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, said the regional party had deviated from the original ideals and objectives of the founder and matinee idol late N T Rama Rao.
"In Chiranjeevi, I see the same kind of commitment and dedication that NTR was endowed with," he said.
Ramachandraiah's move is the latest in the series of desertions from the main opposition TDP.
Earlier, former TDP ministers K Vidyadhar Rao and T Seetharam, former MP B Nagi Reddy, his wife Shobha and former MLA Khaleel Basha had joined Praja Rajyam Party.
Soon after the actor's announcement of political foray last month, senior Congress MP from Narsapur CH Harirama Jogaiah quit the party and Lok Sabha membership to join the new party.
The ruling party Mayor of Nellore town Sailaja Reddy had also switched loyalties.
Chiranjeevi, a Padma Bhushan awardee who acted in 148 films, had launched the party before a mammoth gathering at the temple town of Tirupati on August 26.
He is now gearing up a for a state-wide tour later this month, raising expectations among his fans that he will recreate the magic of legendary hero NTR who had created a record by storming to power within nine months of forming Telugu Desam Party in 1983.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Information Minister A Ramnarayan Reddy questioned Chiranjeevi's contribution to the welfare of film industry workers and said he lacked political vision and agenda.
Objecting to the actor taking pot shots at the ruling party leaders for the growing social inequalities, Reddy said "I am prepared for a open debate on what Chiranjeevi has done for the film industry workers and what Congress government has done."
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