Behind The Scene: Why did Chiru go on backfoot?

Those who have been eagerly waiting for Megastar Chiranjeevi to announce his new party are now thoroughly disappointed with the news that he has developed cold feet, at least for the time being.

Why did Chiru go on the backfoot? Reliable sources say Chiranjeevi had held series of deliberations with his well-wishers and community leaders on the modalities of launching the party. He thought it is the right time to launch the party, as he would have at least 18 months to establish himself in the State politics and turn the wave towards him. This time would also give him a scope to establish a third alternative by polarising all the anti-Congress and anti-Telugu Desam forces.

However, with the sudden formation of mid-term poll clouds has upset all his plans. If the mid-term elections to Lok Sabha are held in a couple of months from now, Chiranjeevi will have little time to emerge as an alternative force, as it is difficult to consolidate his base among the voters. At the same time, he cannot remain aloof from the contest in the mid-term elections, as it would send a wrong signal to the voters. Moreover, both the Congress and the Telugu Desam have already announced all the populist schemes possible on the earth to lure voters and Chiru would have to think something really innovative to divert the voters towards his new party.

Keeping all this in mind, Chiru deferred his plans to launch the party. He wants to wait and see the outcome of the mid-term polls to Lok Sabha, reassess the strength of the main parties, work out the possibilities of a third alternative and then take a decision, sources say.