Date:06/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010655060600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Minister for suspension of Hariram Jogaiah

Staff Reporter

‘He should have quit the party post before making such a statement’

VISAKHAPATNAM: Minister for Marketing M. Marappa and Congress MLA from Parawada Gandi Babji on Saturday demanded suspension of MP Hariram Jogaiah for “indulging in anti-party activity for his remarks that cine actor Chiranjeevi would become Chief Minister.”

“Neither Mr. Chiranjeevi has any party nor he has any agenda as of now. Mr. Jogaiah, who has experience for 40 years in politics in Telugu Desam and Congress should have resigned from party post before making such a controversial statement,” they told reporters here.

Mr. Marappa said as far as the Congress was concerned, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was the `real hero.’ Stating that he had high regard for the acting skills of Mr. Chiranjeevi and as a citizen, he had the liberty to float a party and take an active part in politics, he said “Dr. Reddy is working for the people for 24 hours whereas a film hero keeps the spectators in good humour for less than three hours.

So Mr. Jogaiah should know the difference between reel life and real life, he remarked.

‘No place in party’

“Leaders who do not have commitment to the party ideals and leadership and indulge in indiscipline have no right to continue in the party,” he said.