Sting on Chiranjeevi creates ripples in Praja Rajyam

A sting operation showing actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi making some off-the-cuff remarks against politicians in a closed-door meeting set off ripples in his fledgling Praja Rajyam Party on Wednesday.

In a secretly filmed video, whose origin was not known, Chiranjeevi was seen telling a group of young IT professionals that they should be wary of politicians willing to join Praja Rajyam Party.

"The change we want to bring in the system will not be achieved if we open flood gates to politicians. They may be inevitable for the party in some places because of their experience but they don’t bring in freshness," he told the gathering of his followers in his chambers in the highly-guarded party office here.

The nine-minute video was sent by unidentified persons to local TV channels which aired the footage and was also available on the internet.

Soon, the bloggers went cracking, posting a flurry of comments for and against the episode.

It is not clear who is behind the sting operation and what could be the purpose behind it.

The video showed Chiranjeevi in a relaxed mood, exchanging views with a group of his young fans on a wide range of issues including SEZs, political corruption and organisational matters.

Speaking to them informally, he virtually suggested to them to "spy" on the politicians desiring to join the party and wanted politicians to be kept out of the finer details of the new party.

The meeting was said to be aimed at discussing strategies for building the party organisation.

"We need young people like you who are selfless, dedicated and committed to bring in change in the society. You are my inspiration. You should appear to be closely working with politicians but at the same time keep a tab on them," Chiranjeevi, was seen telling the gathering.

Justifying Chiranjeevi’s comments, senior party leader Harirama Jogaiah, himself a veteran politician, said there was nothing wrong in cautioning against politicians who were out to play spoilsport.

Citing the instance of matinee idol and TDP founder president late N T Rama Rao being "ditched" by politicians close to him, Jogaiah, who recently quit Congress to join Praja Rajyam, said there was nothing disparaging about Chiranjeevi’s comments.