Putting months of speculations to an end, Telugu super star Chiranjeevi finally took the first step towards launching his own political party by inaugurating his party's office in the posh Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad.
But both the timing and the manner of inauguration were unusual. In accordance with the mahurtam set by the pundits and astrologers, the star formally inaugurated the new office at 12.20 am. The media was kept away from the ceremony.
Only a few close family members like the star's brothers Nagendar Babu and Pavan Kalyan, brother in law Allu Arvind, son Atma Charan, elder son in law Venkateshwara Rao, mother Anjana Devi and wife Surekha were present. His close aide P Mitra, former Telegu Desam Party leader K Vidyadhar Rao and Congress Member of Parliament Harirama Jogahaiah were also present at the ceremony.
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Hundreds of fans and followers of the star gathered outside the building to catch a glimpse of the star. They shouted slogans hailing Chiranjeevi as the 'future chief minister'. The police as well as private guards had a hard time in keeping the fans and the media contingent at bay.
After completing the ceremony, Chiranjeevi came out of his office and urged his fans and followers to help those affected by the heavy rains in the state.
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"Do every thing possible to help the needy people who are suffering in the rains and floods," he said.
Replying to the queries from reporters, he defended the timing and the manner of the inauguration of the party office.
"In accordance with the Hindu tradition, the mahurtam was fixed by the pundits. Accordingly, we have inaugurated the office at this time. But from now on, nothing will be secret," he said.
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He assured that he would soon make an announcement about the party's formal launch. "The party will be launched before the end of this month, but the formal announcement about the name of the party, date and venue of the launch will be made in a couple of days," he said. .
Exuding confidence that he will come to power in the next elections, Chiranjeevi said, "I know the people's pulse. They are waiting for me to launch the party".
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What the astrologers say:
Astrologers are, however, not too hopeful about the star's political future. Some of them believe that Chiranjeevi will not be able to become the chief minister or even a prominent political personality in the state.
They point out that Chiranjeevi was born on August 22 at 10.05 am. He was passing through a very bad phase -- Kalayogam -- from July 17 this year, which will continue till November 2, 2014. Shani was casting its evil spell on him. They also warned that the star will face the worst period between December 9, 2008 to March 4, 2009.
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Srinivas Vargeya, a prominent astrologer, said, "He is not going to succeed in politics".
G Veerabhadracharyulu, head of the Department of Astrology in Telugu University, agrees with him. "Chiranjeevi may win a few seats but will not become the chief minister," he said.
Image: Chiranjeevi talks to the media outside his office in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
Photograph: Snapsindia
