It has all the makings of a star-studded mega show. After conquering Tollywood and Bollywood, and establishing herself as a politician of formidable repute first in her native Andhra Pradesh and then in Uttar Pradesh, yesteryears actress Jayaprada is heading back home to lead an entourage of filmstars who will spice up the glamour quotient in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state next year.
The Rampur MP reportedly has her eyes set on the Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat which she hopes to bag on a YSR Congress Party ticket. Jayaprada started her political career with the blessings of N T Rama Rao in the TDP, before shifting allegiance to the Samajwadi Party, which she was forced to leave in February 2010.
Jayaprada, who turned 52 last week, dropped enough hints about her intentions while speaking in Tirupati last week. Sympathising with YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, she said, “Committed political leaders are harassed everywhere. I treated Mulayam Singh Yadav like my father, but he hounded me out of the party. Here too, the Congress is harassing Jagan for refusing to yield before the high command.” She also could not stop singing paeans to the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, saying, “The state needs a leader like YSR now.”
Jayaprada is not the only star fan of YSRCP. Secunderabad MLA Jayasudha has hinted that she might cross over to Jagan’s party. Actor and former BJP leader Naresh recently announced that he would soon join the YSRCP. Said Naresh, “The people are looking for a dynamic leader who can carry forward the legacy of YSR. It is none other than Jagan Reddy.” He is expecting the party ticket for Hindupur Assembly segment. Actor Srihari also said he would be in Jagan’s camp, after meeting Jagan at Chanchalguda prison two months ago. Others like actress Roja, actors Giri Babu, Vijaychandar and Raja are already active members. Among producers, MLA Kodali Sri Venkateswara Rao has already defected to YSRCP from TDP.
Filmmaker and TDP MP from Chittoor, K Siva Prasad is also leaning towards YSRCP. The party leadership could give him a ticket for the Chittoor LS seat.
The YSRCP leadership is said to be trying to get veteran actor Krishna’s brother Adiseshagiri Rao on its side to contest from either Eluru or Guntur for the Lok Sabha as Krishna has a massive fan following in coastal districts. Director Puri Jagannath too is also inching towards YSRCP.
Principal Opposition TDP has always maintained good connections with the film fraternity. The star power the party boasts of are NTR’s son Balakrishna and grandson NTR Jr. Balakrishna has announced that he would be contesting in 2014. NTR Jr, though is undecided.
Star and Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi after merging his Praja Rajyam Party with the Congress, is trying to reinvent himself in the new equation.
Actor and producer Murali Mohan, who lost the 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Rajahmundry is getting ready to contest the seat on a TDP ticket. Separatist Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s lone star charisma lies in MP and yesteryear actress Vijayashanti.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> The Sunday Standard / by J R Prasad – Hyderabad / April 07th, 2013