Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Mandal Committees were Authorised to give Memberships


Film star Chiranjeevi had launched the Praja Rajyam with much fanfare but not a single person has been officially given membership in the party so far. The party’s official spokesperson, Dr Mitra, said that only mandal committees were authorised to give memberships.

And these committees have not been formed as yet. "One must go to a retail shop to buy a Tata soap and not at Tata’s residence," quipped Dr Mitra. "We have a process in place to scrutinise the applications and grant membership. But the process has not started yet." According to Election Commission rules, a political party should have at least 100 members with voting rights.

But it seems that the Praja Rajyam does not have any members, though it has applied for registration. The party spokesperson disclosed this fact while dismissing reports of people with "criminal record" joining the Praja Rajyam. The question did not arise since nobody has been given membership so far, Dr Mitra said.

He also defended the party’s stand of not responding to the criticism by other parties by saying: "We are trying to establish positive politics and not abusive and negative politics." Dr Mitra made it clear that every political party had the right to project itself in a different way and media should not insist on regular reactions on every issue from the Praja Rajyam.

Earlier, party chief Chiranjeevi said at Image Gardens that he would work hard to fulfil all the wishes of the people. "I will certainly become the Chief Minister to solve all problems," said Chiranjeevi. Defending the lull in the party activities, Chiranjeevi said that activities would start after the party agenda was finalised. He added that the agenda and policies of the party would come from people. The change that people wanted would certainly become a reality with his "positive" politics, said Praja Rajyam president.

Meanwhile, the noted agriculture expert and former Rajya Sabha MP, Mr Y. Sivaji, and Maharashtra cadre IAS officer, Mr Chandrasekhar, joined the party.

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