HYDERABAD: It was a day of finding one’s moorings at the Praja Rajyam Party on Wednesday.
From prominent political leaders to scintillating small-screen stars made a beeline for the party office in Jubilee Hills here.
Of all the entrants, Thirupal Reddy was the prize catch as he happens to be a close relative of Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. He is the father-in- law of Kadapa Mayor Ravindranath Reddy, the brother-in-law of the chief minister. Thirupal Reddy joined the Praja Rajyam in the presence of Yuva Rajyam president Pawan Kalyan.
Thirupal Reddy said he chose to join the PRP frustrated over the ill-treatment being meted out to his followers by the MLA of Mydukur constituency in the district. He expressed his wish to contest the seat on the PRP ticket. Declining to comment on the Congress party and the chief minister, Thirupal Reddy said he had been a mandal Congress president and vice-chairman of the District Marketing Committee.
Earlier, some small-screen stars joined the party in the presence of Chiranjeevi’s another brother Nagendrababu, including Dwarakesh, popularly known as Rahul for the role he plays in the TV serial Chakrawakam, another prominent actor in the serial Pooja and some models.
Nagendrababu said parties needed the services of artistes to garner public support. As their party chief was from the entertainment field, he wanted more artistes to come into its fold.
Dwarakesh and Pooja said they were fans of Chiranjeevi and entering politics inspired by him.
Some members of the Khatri community, under the leadership of Krishna Khatri, also joined the PRP in the presence of Nagendrababu.
Krishna said the community members were traditionally involved in weaving silk cloth and were equal in status to the Padmasalis of the State.