BJP scotches rumours of alliance with Chiru’s party

Senior BJP leader L. K. Advani has congratulated actor-politician Chiranjeevi for his
decision to enter politics and launch a party.In a telephonic conversation between them on Tuesday, Mr. Advani is said to have told Mr. Chiranjeevi it was nice that good people like him entered the political arena; and he wished him good luck. BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “It was just a cordial talk. When two political personalities exchange views, they will not speak only about the weather.

” BJP national spokesperson Prakash Javadekar, in a statement faxed from New Delhi, dismissed reports that the interaction was the beginning of a possible alliance between the two parties. Referring to speculation to this effect in a section of the media, he said, “the call from the superstar to seek the blessings of the senior leader and Mr. Advani wishing him the best for launching a new party is an example of healthy democratic values.” Mr. Chiranjeevi too did not attach political significance to it.

He said he was interacting with stalwarts from politics and all other walks of life to seek their guidance and support, ahead of his public meeting in Tirupati on August 26. He said he had earlier talked on the telephone to Governor N.D. Tiwari who also conveyed his good wishes. He said he would soon call on the Governor to express his gratitude. Meanwhile, Ch. Harirama Jogaiah, who resigned from the Congress and the Lok Sabha, met Chiranjeevi and formally joined him.

Without revealing details of how the two would go about their association, the actor said he had known Mr. Jogaiah for over three decades. He would leverage the senior politician’s experience and with his guidance move ahead in service of the people. The Telangana sentiment cropped up at Chiranjeevi’s party office when some leaders of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti joined hands with the actor on Tuesday. Former TRS general secretary from Warangal district, Zacharaiah, said no political party could move an inch forward without addressing the issue of a separate State.