| Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi on Tuesday launched his long-awaited political party (People's Rule) and vowed to bring a change in Andhra Pradesh's politics as he took the temple town of Tirupati by storm with a mega rally attended by some 1 million frenzied supporters. Excited over their matinee idol's political debut, the overjoyed Chiranjeevi fans went out of control at the venue forcing the police to apply force on them. They even swamped into the chamber allotted to physically challenged people. Repeated appeals by Chiranjeevi's brother and actor Nagendra Babu to maintain calm during the public meeting went unheeded among the jubilant fans. The police resorted to lathicharge to control the crowd. The police action followed by a stampede caused injuries to around 25 people. According to sources, two persons died of heart attack in the mayhem. The police were yet to confirm the report. Over 3,000 policemen and an equal number of volunteers failed to control the massive crowds, which had started gathering at the venue from all across Andhra Pradesh since morning. Launching his political outfit on Mother Teresa’s 98th birth anniversary, Chiranjeevi said, she has always been his inspiration and that he believes in her. "It will be a democratic and secular party. It will be a people's party, born from the hearts of the people. It will be a party for backward classes, farmers, workers, women and youth," he said amid wild cheering from a mainly male gathering drawn from all over Andhra Pradesh. "The party will work for development, modernisation and industrial revolution. Its goal will be 'santosh' and 'ananda' (contentment and happiness) Andhra Pradesh," he said, speaking in Telugu. "I know your problems, pains and sufferings and will always stand by you," he said, while taking the oath in the name of Lord Venkateshwara to dedicate his life to serve the people. Broadly outlining the policies of his eagerly awaited party, he said that eliminating poverty, ensuring social equality, rooting out corruption, development of villages on par with urban areas, and providing health and education to all would top the agenda. During the two-hour mega show, the 53-year-old actor said he favoured prohibition but added that his party would take a final decision only after detailed deliberations. He termed as 'social' the problem of Maoist violence and promised to respect the sentiments for a separate statehood for the Telangana region. "After spending 30 years in the glamorous field, I could have lived a life for myself. I have all the comforts in life but I decided to be in your midst by responding to your appeal," said Chiranjeevi, who announced his decision to join politics August 17. "I am overwhelmed by your support all these years. Now it is time for me to pay back and be in your midst to share your sufferings," said Chiru, as he is fondly called, amid thunderous applause. Chiru, who declared that he had no rivals in politics, took a swipe at the ruling Congress for selling government land to industries and for acquiring cultivable land for Special Economic Zones (SEZs). "We have no rivals. Problems are our rivals. We have no rivals because we have no fear and greed. We have entered the battlefield but our battle is against problems. Courage and honesty are our two weapons. We have no leader. All are soldiers. I am also one among you," he said. |