Filmstar-turned-politician and Praja Rajyam leader Chiranjeevi has promised that he will do every thing possible to meet all problems of Muslims in Andhra Pradesh with in the limits of the Constitution and ensure justice to them in all spheres.
"I am not the one to fear any backlash from any other sections. I will meet all the demands of the suppressed and oppressed sections, including minorities. I have entered politics not with any personal agenda, but to do social justice", the Telugu star told a gathering of prominent Muslims in Hyderabad.
The meeting over dinner was organized by Syed Viqaruddin, the editor of oldest Urdu daily newspaper published from Hyderabad "Rehnuma-e-Deccan".
Viqaruddin is a popular figure in political and Muslim community circular and a well- known interlocutor who had organised first meeting of Muslim community leaders with another filmstar-turned politician NT Rama Rao when he announced his entry in politics in 1982.
Welcoming Chiranjeevi, the host said that he took the initiative to enable Chiranjeevi to meet prominent Muslims including social activists, religious leaders and professionals and understand the problems of the Muslim community.
Viqaruddin, who had helped the TDP President Chandrababu Naidu and the central leaders of CPI and CPIM to break the ice two years ago and eventually come together, expressed his dissatisfaction with both the Congress and the TDP.
"These parties have done nothing to solve the problems of Muslims specially to eradicate the educational and economic backwardness", he said.
The demands put forth before Chiranjeevi, included increasing budgetary allocation for Muslims to Rs 1500 crore per annum against the Rs 200 crore at present, special package to end the educational backwardness by giving free education from primary to the post graduation level, special recruitment drive to give due representation to the Muslim in police service and proportional share in the government jobs.
Former Union Minister P Shivshankar, who has joined the PRP, also accompanied Chiranjeevi at the meeting.
© 2024 Rediff.com -