Praja Rajyam Party

ప్రజా రాజ్యం పార్టీ

History

Chiranjeevi's foray into politics was highly anticipated in the media and political circles since 2007. While it was reported that he was seeking the opinion of people during the latter half of 2007, the media also suggested that he would announce the decision in January 2008. Media speculation was that he would launch his political party as an alternative to the ruling Indian National Congress(INC) and Telugu Desam Party(TDP) in his native state of Andhra Pradesh.

Chiranjeevi held a press conference on August 17, 2008 and expressed his intention, for the first time, to establish a political party for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The first public address occurred on August 26, 2008.

Several political leaders from the Andhra Pradesh such as Harirama Jogaiah from INC and K. Vidyadhar Rao and Bhuma Nagi Reddy from the TDP were inclined to Chiranjeevi's political plans before the party was launched.

The former TD leader, Mr C. Ramachandraiah, MLC G. Haribabu Naidu (Srikakulam) formally joined the Praja Rajyam on Saturday at the party headquarters in the presence of Chiranjeevi. They had pledged their support for Chiranjeevi many days ago and Mr Ramachandraiah has been visiting the party office frequently.

Present

The first public meeting was held by Chiranjeevi on August 26, 2008, at 120-acre Avilala Tank grounds near Tirupati where Chiranjeevi addressed a gathering of about a million people. The party name as well as the basic agenda of the party was announced during this meeting.

He unveiled the party flag, which has white colour to 3/4 of its height at the top, and the bottom 1/4 is filled with green colour. In the middle, a red colored symbol of the sun is embossed and encircled with a yellow line. There are 24 red colored beams beyond and around the yellow ring signifying the sun rays. Chiranjeevi said that the white color on the flag represents all categories of people, the green refers to the farmers, the yellow color outlining the sun refers to happiness and the red sun refers to the party working perennially. The 24 rays of the sun on the flag conveys the party's conviction to work round the clock.

He said that he wants to see 'Santhoshandhra Pradesh' (translation: Happy Andhra Pradesh). This party slogan sounds similar and competitive to his political counterpart Chandrababu Naidu's 'Swarnandhra Pradesh' (translation: Golden Andhra Pradesh) and YSR's 'Harithandhra Pradesh'(translation: Greener Andhra Pradesh).

On the day of the party launch meeting, Chiranjeevi's representatives submitted an application to the Election Commission of India for registration of the Praja Rajyam party.Two days after the party launch event, the choice of party name caused trouble to the party with a Cuddapah resident, Veeraballi Chenna Krishnaiah claiming to have applied for the same name one day before the party launch with the Election Commission. However, the issue ended as he agreed to withdraw his application.

Incidentally the name Praja Rajyam happens to be the name of a leadership training programme launched by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, national convener of Loksatta, another political party from the state. It is also part of a slogan Prajarajyam in Vishalandhra coined by Communist Party of India.

Chiranjeevi who has now got into the groove of formulating the manifesto and hierarchy of his Praja Rajyam party has announced that he is impressed with the Tamilnadu style of functioning in the parties when it comes to forming alliances. Chiranjeevi said that they would form an alliance depending on how it would benefit the state and its people instead of themselves. He stated that they would form alliance with Centre in such a way that it should benefit State and National interests. Chiranjeevi also started preparing the route map of his tour which is likely to start from this month end. The probable date going in rounds is October 2nd, considering that it is “Gandhi Jayanthi”. In the meantime he wants to establish a co-ordination committee.

“I was thinking of beginning my yatra in the first week of October,” “But, some of our party leaders are suggesting that I take it up after the Dasara festival.” - Chiranjeevi.

For the barely one month old Praja Rajyam Party, the number of aspirants for the party ticket to the coming general election is 1,82,000.

The Prajarajyam Party will not oppose separate Telangana, but at the same time it will not take up agitations for the cause also. This could be their stand which might be announced shortly.

This move by Chiranjeevi has resulted in people forcing Tamil cinema star Rajnikath to join politics.

Praja Rajyam News

Party slogan

Mana Rajyam Surajyam, Swarajyam, Prajala Rajyam, Praja Rajyam

Preme Lakshyam.....Seve Margam

Party Album

• The publicity audio album for Praja Rajyam Party with music scored by Devi Sri Prasad is getting ready. Highlight is that Ramcharan Tej sang one song.