Date:04/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020451820300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Chiranjeevi alone can ensure social justice’

Staff Reporter

Kakinada: Former Advocate-General of Andhra Pradesh S. Ramachandra Rao has said that the need for a leader with clean image in State politics is felt by the people and there can be no better person than actor Chiranjeevi who can guarantee good governance.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr. Rao said both the Congress and the Telugu Desam parties neglected the BCs and other weaker sections.

Instead of striving for the people’s welfare, the main parties continued to indulge in mutual recrimination, relegating issues connected to the people’s livelihood to the background. Therefore, it was opportune time for Mr. Chiranjeevi to take the plunge and clean up the mess.

Mr. Rao said few political leaders belonging to the BCs got their due ever since Independence. Two communities had held monopoly, leaving no scope for other sections to grow. Only a person like Mr. Chiranjeevi could ensure social justice and he should brook no delay in entering politics.

BC Ikya Sangharshana Samiti leader V.G.R. Naragoni said the BCs had played second fiddle to the majority communities and it is time for them to break loose from the shackles. The representation of BCs in the State Assembly had been minimal, he added.

Representatives of BCs and weaker sections’ associations also spoke.