Praja Rajyam Party

Infobox_Indian_Political_Party
party_name = Praja Rajyam
party_
leader = Chiranjeevi
foundation = 2008
alliance =
ideology = Populist Social Democracy
publication =
headquarters = Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
fan/follower website = http://www.mrpr.in

Praja Rajyam (Telugu :ఫ్రజా రాజ్యం translation: "People's Rule"cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=Cricket&id=853b4990-b9d1-44e5-a6ec-d92e91d464b5&MatchID1=4731&TeamID1=2&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=2&SeriesID1=1193&PrimaryID=4731&Headline=Chiranjeevi+launches+%27Praja+Rajyam%27&strParent=strParentID|title=Chiranjeevi names his political party 'Praja Rajyam'|work=Indo-Asian News Services|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=2008-08-26|accessdate=2008-08-26] or "People's Reign"cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080063067|title=Chiranjeevi, new NTR of Andhra politics?|work=NDTV|publisher=NDTV|date=2008-08-26|accessdate=2008-08-27] ) is a regional political party in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was founded by Telugu cinema actor Chiranjeevi on August 26, 2008.cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/000200808262032.htm | title=Chiranjeevi launches 'Praja Rajyam'| work=Press Trust of India |publisher=The Hindu|date=2008-08-26|accessdate=2008-08-26]

History

Chiranjeevi's foray into politics was highly anticipated in the media and political circles since 2007.cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/dec/05ap.htm|title=Andhra Pradesh: Chiranjeevi entering politics?|work=Press Trust of India|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2007-12-07|accessdate=2008-08-26] cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/So_whats_cooking_Chiru/articleshow/2337261.cms|title=So what's cooking Chiru?|work=Times News Network|publisher=Indiatimes.com|date=2007-09-05|accessdate=2008-08-26] . While it was reported that he was seeking the opinion of people during the latter half of 2007, the media also suggested that he would announce the decision in January 2008. Media speculation was that he would launch his political party as an alternative to the ruling Indian National Congress(INC) and Telugu Desam Party(TDP) in his native state of Andhra Pradesh.cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Telugu-superstar-Chiranjeevi-set-to-join-politics/344934/|title=Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi set to join politics|work=Agencies|publisher=Expressindia.com|date=2008-08-05|accessdate=2008-08-26]

Chiranjeevi held a press conference on August 17, 2008 and expressed his intention, for the first time, to establish a political party for the people of Andhra Pradesh.cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/18/stories/2008081851221500.htm | title=Chiranjeevi launching political party | publisher=Business Line|date=2008-08-26] . The first public address occurred on August 26, 2008.

Several political leaders from the Andhra Pradesh such as Harirama Jogaiah from INC and K. Vidyadhar Rao and Bhuma Nagi Reddy from the TDP were inclined to Chiranjeevi's political plans before the party was launched.

The former TD leader, Mr C. Ramachandraiah, MLC G. Haribabu Naidu (Srikakulam) formally joined the Praja Rajyam on Saturday at the party headquarters in the presence of Chiranjeevi. They had pledged their support for Chiranjeevi many days ago and Mr Ramachandraiah has been visiting the party office frequently.cite web|author=|year=2008|title=C.Rama Chandrayya Joined Praja Rajyam Party |publisher=prajarajyamby2009.com|accessdate=2008-09-22|url=http://www.prajarajyamby2009.com/crama-chandrayya-joined-praja-rajyam-party-on-13th-sept]

Present

The first public meeting was held by Chiranjeevi on August 26, 2008, at 120-acre Avilala Tank grounds near Tirupati where Chiranjeevi addressed a gathering of about a million people. The party name as well as the basic agenda of the party was announced during this meeting. [cite news|url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13885&sectionid=4&issueid=68&Itemid=1 | title=Chiranjeevi launches Praja Rajyam, vows to change Andhra politics | publisher=India Today|date=2008-08-26]

He unveiled the party flag, which has white colour to 3/4 of its height at the top, and the bottom 1/4 is filled with green colour. In the middle, a red colored symbol of the sun is embossed and encircled with a yellow line. There are 24 red colored beams beyond and around the yellow ring signifying the sun rays.Fact|date=September 2008 Chiranjeevi said that the white color on the flag represents all categories of people, the green refers to the farmers, the yellow color outlining the sun refers to happiness and the red sun refers to the party working perennially. The 24 rays of the sun on the flag conveys the party's conviction to work round the clock.Fact|date=September 2008

He said that he wants to see 'Santhoshandhra Pradesh' (translation: Happy Andhra Pradesh). This party slogan sounds similar and competitive to his political counterpart Chandrababu Naidu's 'Swarnandhra Pradesh' (translation: Golden Andhra Pradesh) and YSR's 'Harithandhra Pradesh'(translation: Greener Andhra Pradesh).cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/08/stories/2006010810740400.htm | title=`Swarna' reference raises eyebrows | work= The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu|date=2006-01-08|accessdate=2008-09-20] cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/16/stories/2004081613010300.htm | title=YSR chants Harithandhra Pradesh mantra | work= The Hindu |publisher=The Hindu|date=2004-08-16|accessdate=2008-09-20]

On the day of the party launch meeting, Chiranjeevi's representatives submitted an application to the Election Commission of India for registration of the Praja Rajyam party.cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/001200808262033.htm | title=Chiranjeevi moves EC for registration of his party | work= Press Trust of India |publisher=The Hindu|date=2008-08-26|accessdate=2008-08-26] Two days after the party launch event, the choice of party name caused trouble to the party with a Cuddapah resident, Veeraballi Chenna Krishnaiah claiming to have applied for the same name one day before the party launch with the Election Commission.cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Chirus_party_name_runs_into_trouble/articleshow/3418348.cms | title=Chiru's party name runs into trouble | work=Press Trust of India |publisher=Times Of India|date=2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-28] However, the issue ended as he agreed to withdraw his application.cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hyderabad/Rajyam_goes_to_Chiru/articleshow/3423912.cms | title='Rajyam' goes to Chiru
work= Times News Network |publisher=Times Of India |date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-08-30] [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3419335.cms]

Incidentally the name Praja Rajyam happens to be the name of a leadership training programme launched by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, national convener of Loksatta, another political party from the state. [cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/22/stories/2006012215550300.htm | title=Lok Satta launches Prajarajyam | publisher=The Hindu| date=2006-01-22 ] [cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/11/stories/2006051104770200.htm | title=Get trained for polls | publisher=The Hindu|date=2006-05-11] . It is also part of a slogan "Prajarajyam in Vishalandhra" coined by Communist Party of India.cite news| url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TPjIh1G0TmcC&pg=PA37&lpg=PA37&dq=prajarajyam&source=web&ots=MX9Ng8cN_1&sig=mJBHrM5NykVJSA5ytCwUplvQ3X8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA37,M1| title= Book: Telangana People's Struggle and Its Lessons| work= Puchalapalli Sundaraiah |publisher= Foundation Books | accessdate=2008-08-30 ] [cite news| url=http://ia.rediff.com/chat/3107chat.htm|title=Rediff On The Net: Transcript of the Vara Vara Rao Chat|work=Rediff.com|publisher=Rediff.com|date=2008-08-30 ] .

Chiranjeevi who has now got into the groove of formulating the manifesto and hierarchy of his Praja Rajyam party has announced that he is impressed with the Tamilnadu style of functioning in the parties when it comes to forming alliances. Chiranjeevi said that they would form an alliance depending on how it would benefit the state and its people instead of themselves. He stated that they would form alliance with Centre in such a way that it should benefit State and National interests.Chiranjeevi also started preparing the route map of his tour which is likely to start from this month end. The probable date going in rounds is October 2nd, considering that it is “Gandhi Jayanthi”. In the meantime he wants to establish a co-ordination committee.cite web|author=|year=2008|title=Party President’s tour of the State – Draft Plan.|publisher=prajarajyamby2009.com|accessdate=2008-09-22|url=http://www.prajarajyamby2009.com/party-president%e2%80%99s-tour-of-the-state-%e2%80%93-draft-plan]

“I was thinking of beginning my yatra in the first week of October,” “But, some of our party leaders are suggesting that I take it up after the Dasara festival.” - Chiranjeevi.cite web|author=|year=2008|title=beginning my yatra in the first week .|publisher=prajarajyamby2009.com|accessdate=2008-09-25|url=http://www.prajarajyamby2009.com/]

For the barely one month old Praja Rajyam Party, the number of aspirants for the party ticket to the coming general election is 1,82,000.cite web|author=|year=2008|title=1,82,000 is the number of ticket aspirants.|publisher=prajarajyamby2009.com|accessdate=2008-09-26|url=http://www.prajarajyamby2009.com/]

The Prajarajyam Party will not oppose separate Telangana, but at the same time it will not take up agitations for the cause also. This could be their stand which might be announced shortly.cite web|author=|year=2008|title=Prajarajyam Party will not oppose Seperate (sic) Telangana|publisher=prajarajyamby2009.com|accessdate=2008-09-27|url=http://www.prajarajyamby2009.com/]

This move by Chiranjeevi has resulted in people forcing Tamil cinema star Rajnikath to join politics.

Praja Rajyam Newscite web|author=|year=2008|title=Praja Rajyam News|url=http://www.prajarajyam.de/]

Party slogan

"Mana Rajyam Surajyam, Swarajyam, Prajala Rajyam, Praja Rajyam"

"Preme Lakshyam.....Seve Margam"

ee also

* Politics of India
* List of political parties in India

References