AP: Congress to field action star Rajasekhar to counter Chiranjeevi

Even before Telugu actor Chiranjeevi could formally announce his foray into politics, political parties in the state have started wooing other stars to counter the superstar's political party, which is expected to be launched in August.

On Monday, Telugu actor Rajasekhar met Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and expressed his keenness to join the Congress party.

Accompanied by wife Jevita, Rajasekhar congratulated the Chief Minister over the Congress party's impressive performance in the by elections. "The victory of Congress, despite strong Telangana sentiments, shows that the people ae happy with the performance of the Congress government," he said.

Speaking about his political plans, he said, "If I come to politics, I will join only the Congress party".

Jeevita stated that she would be happy to take up any responsibility offered by the Congress party. "I would be happy to work as the chief of Mahila Congress in the state," she said.

Rajasekhar, a popular action hero, had hit the headlines in January this year when a group of Chiranjeevi fans attacked his car in Hyderabad. The miscreants smashed the window panes of the car, in which Rajasekhar and his daughter were traveling.

The incident forced Chiranjeevi to rush to Rajasekhar's residence to tender an apology. He also got the miscreants expelled from the Chiranjeevi Fans' Association.

While Rajasekhar is all set to join the Congress, the Telugu Desam party is banking on popular stars like N Balakrishna, NTR Junior and Kalyan Ram, all members of the NTR clan. Balakrishna is the son of NT Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu's brother-in-law.  Balakrishna and Naidu's relationship was strengthened further when Naidu's son Lokesh married Bala's daughter Brahmini in August last year. NTR Junior and Kalyan Ram are the grand children of NTR.

Balakrishna has already indicated that he will join the Telugu Desam Party. He, along with the other filmstars in the family, will campaign for the TDP in the next elections.

Though Balakrishna denied that his move has any thing to do with Chiranjeevi's decision to join politics, he is perceived as the TDP's weapon to counter the threat from the superstar.

If Chiranjeevi launches his political party in August, his younger brother Pavan Kalyan, another popular Telugu star, will be working with him.