Stung star turns to his ‘praja’

Facing increasing criticism that his party is turning its back on grassroots level leaders, an apparently stung Praja Rajyam chief and star-turned-politician Chiranjeevi called upon his fans to give a befitting reply to his critics.

‘‘You should give a reply to those who are saying there are no ‘praja’ in Praja Rajyam,’’ he said, addressing his followers here this morning.

‘‘I am no politician,’’ he conceded in the same breath and claimed, ‘‘I have come into public life at the invitation of the people.’’ Reiterating his assertion that good intent was all that was needed to make a difference, he took pains to refute criticism that he lacks clarity on issues. ‘‘I know the socio-economic status of our people. The quality of life people lead is way below the average standards. What more clarity is needed? I know that blood donation saves lives but I need not know how many groups of blood there are,’’ he pointed out.

The ruffled star, in a veiled reference to the growing impatience in certain quarters over the slow pace of his party, sought time to get his act together. ‘‘Parents do not ask their baby to run as soon as it comes into the world,’’ he maintained.

He concluded his combative speech with cinematic flourish, saying people should tell him what he should do next and assured that their aspirations would find a place in his party manifesto. Party spokesperson and Chiranjeevi’s advisor Dr Mithra too made no attempt to hide his annoyance over certain media reports. ‘‘Go to the villages, mandals and districts where you will see our strength.

There is no need for you to tell us where our strength lies. Can you show one party whose activists would go to the extent of breaking gates to meet their leader?’’ he asked.

Meanwhile at the party office, party leader B Nagi Reddy and his wife Shobha dismissed reports that they were being neglected in the party and demanded that TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu explain to people why he was getting cosy with NTR’s family.

Nellore Mayor Sailaja Reddy joined the PRP in the presence of Chiranjeevi this morning and among the others who followed suit was former Telugu Desam MLA J Nehru.