Delay likely in Chiranjeevi’s yatra

The proposed yatra of Praja Rajyam (PR) president and film star Chiranjeevi is likely to be put off by a few weeks.

While it was expected that the PR president will commence his mass contact programme, spanning about three months, on September 17, party insiders say that the yatra will now commence either on September 26 or October 8.

They attribute this to the delay in constituting organisational committees at different levels to oversee the arrangements for the tour.

Mr. Chiranjeevi announced on Wednesday that the committees would be put in place in two to three more weeks and added “I wish I could visit each and every household”.

The film star-turned-politician rebuffed the criticism that he lacked clarity on key issues confronting the people.

“I may not be a politician, but I have a clear perspective of the issues.” He announced that the party’s manifesto which would be released shortly would incorporate all the issues and solutions aimed at providing quality life to people.

Welcoming leaders from others parties joining PR, he said the migration of leaders and activists reflected the “dissatisfaction” prevailing among the people.

“I entered politics on the invitation of the people who will decide in what way I can serve them best.”

Meanwhile, PR spokesman P. Mitra took objection to media reports claiming that there were “no people” in PR, stating it would take some time for the party to set up the organisational machinery in tune with the people’s aspirations.

“It is only a two-week-old party,” he said, addressing leaders of different political parties from Guntur district who joined PR on Wednesday.

Scribes’ walkout:

Interestingly, Dr. Mitra’s recorded speech was replayed to the journalists as they could not enter the party office in Jubilee Hills in spite of prior invitation.

The seats meant for journalists were occupied by enthusiastic activists and the organisers failed to vacate them even after some scribes managed to enter.

This led to the reporters’ staging a walkout from the venue.