Date:11/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/11/stories/2008121154020400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Warangal PR workers up in arms

Special Correspondent

Activists stage a noisy protest at the party office; Chiru tries to counsel them

Agitated partymen interrupt Chiru’s speech
Next phase of Chiru’s tour from Dec 15 or 16

HYDERABAD: The discontent in the cadre of Praja Rajyam following the announcement of committees of nine district units of the party came into the open here on Wednesday.

Party workers from Warangal made no secret of their displeasure right in front of PR president Chiranjeevi over not getting nominated to the district party committee.

Arriving here in over a dozen vehicles, the activists staged a noisy demonstration at the party office until Chiranjeevi came out of a meeting and pacified them.

Chiranjeevi appealed to them not to shout slogans as the PR would be looked upon by the people as another indisciplined party. It would be seen as no different from other parties which were bogged down in internal squabbles.

The partymen, however, interrupted Chiranjeevi’s speech by informing him that Karate Prabhakar was appointed co-convenor of the district after defying the party leadership.

They accused Prabhakar of instigating his supporters to hurl chappals at the district in-charge Sidhartha Goud when the latter convened a meeting. Chiranjeevi promised to nominate Thota Naveen whom the crowd supported as the district president of the youth wing -- Yuva Rajyam.

Aspirant sheds tears

Meanwhile, another batch of activists from Jangaon in Warangal staged a brief sit in alleging a raw deal to A. Shameel who claimed to have spent lakhs of rupees organising philanthropic activities in the name of Chiranjeevi.

Earlier, rumblings were also heard among a large number of activists from Guntur who met Chiranjeevi and party general secretary Allu Arvind. Party spokesman P. Mitra told a press conference that a workshop for the 450 office-bearers of the nine district committees would be held here on Thursday and Friday. Chiranjeevi would take up the next phase of his tour in districts from December 15 or 16 either from Medak or Nalgonda.