Despite the persistent political chaos in Andhra Pradesh, 2011 elevated the fortunes of many leaders in the bargain politics. Without getting anything substantial even after bringing the State virtually to grinding halt for more than two months, K Chandrasekhar Rao remains the powerful political force. Lacking almost all the qualities needed to run an Indian State in the modern times, Chief Minister Kirankumar Reddy's political graph swung into a bull territory. Botsa, the new PCC chief emerged equally a powerful entity in the State political scene this year. Despite the onslaught from CBI (read Congress High Command) YS Jaganmohan Reddy remains evergreen, dynamic, heroic and the potential political bulldozer. Despite being in political oblivion for most of the year, fortunes of Chandrababu Naidu and his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have surprisingly on uptrend. KK, Kaka and VH the self proclaimed Telangana heroes have been squared up by the Delhi political bosses.
This leaves, the Megastar Chiranjeevi who moved from reasonably commanding position with in the state political scene to a damp squib. I think, Chiranjeevi represents a text book case for any politician in the state - "how to fail?". Chiru started with a hype. Just taking a single page from NT Rama Rao meteoric raise in the politics. Just because, he was in a similar position in Tollywood as undisputed number#1 hero, like NTR - Chiru thought that he could repeat the same magic and become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Chiru is not NTR let it be on silver screen or in politics.
NTR had a clear vision. His vision stems from the then prevailing pathetic political scenario in AP. Unlike Chiranjeevi, NTR was a learned man. He was emotional yet had lot of clarity. He was eccentric yet, there was consistency. He was independent yet, a first class leader. He dared to challenge, worked against odds and delivered to the people on promises. He attracted the young and talented. Finally, NTR cultivated his political base - predominately around the backward classes who until then had no political representation in the state Though he had his own share of failures, on the balance - NTR status is legendary.
Chiranjeevi had no vision. His ambition was to become Chief Minister with out cultivation of a strong political base. Despite coming from a numerously strong Kapu Community, Chiru was defeated in his political heartland - Palacole. Chiru was emotional but had no vision. He could not convey a meaningful message. Unlike NTR, this time Chiru was facing perhaps two of the strongest political leaders in YSR and CBN. Chiru's understanding of social, political and cultural history of Andhra Pradesh was below the par of a X class student. By any measure he is not a learned man. Chiru, did not have stamina and conviction that he could make it to the top. He basically took a gamble around his screen image. He sold his brand name and in the process made a personal fortune for himself. In this internet era, Chiru's Public relation skills are at best counter productive.
Nurturing and cultivating a political base is key for a Leaders' success (Manmohan Singh is no exception though his political base is just around a single square plot of land - 10, Janpath). Even the so called modern mass leader, Y S Rajasekhar Reddy is no exception. He toiled hard for decades and cultivated his own political back yard regionally, on caste and religious lines, and at the national level.
Election records clearly indicate that, but for Chiranjeevi entry Congress would have lost 2009 elections. Then with his 18 member elected MLA count, Chiru saved Kiran Kumar Reddy Government in 2011. The Two big services to the AP state!. In the process, from a position of the Leader of a political party, he zeroed himself to nothing. Even Majlis with a mere strength of 5 members know better of bargaining politics than novice Chiranjeevi.
Now, Chiranjeevi ambitions have zeroed to a Cabinet post either at Delhi or in Hyderabad. Chiranjeevi despite all the public display of his comical statements and emotions does not understand the Congress and Delhi High Command. Congress in a nutshell is a Trading Party. This means, one should bring something on the table - to get something back in return. Ajit Singh brought 5 MP's and a huge percentage of votes that would add up to Congress in upcoming UP elections. Sharad Pawar, Karunanidhi or Mamata Benerjee all have something to trade - otherwise a constant threat to government and it's survival.
Chiranjeevi and his 18 numbers have no real value. Congress can easily buy them off at any time. Chiranjeevi does not have a political base (like Majlis), Political acumen (like PV), brand integrity (like Manmohan Singh), backroom maneuvering skills (Kavuri or Rayapati), mass following (like KCR), money (like Lagadapati or Jagan) and finally with in his own Kapu Community he is not even the strongest leader (like Botsa). This leaves Chiranjeevi with the tainted silver screen legacy. When the next elections come up, Chiru is not even a guaranteed crowd puller (perhaps, he will have to compete with the likes of NTR Jr, who is a better orator by yards).
In summary, if there is no intrinsic value to put on the table and trade - with in Congress party there won't be any value or recognition. Unless something extraordinary happens, 2011 marks the end of Chiranjeevi political career. He may dream of Cabinet berths but High Command would not bless with anything substantial. Chiranjeevi is in no better position than the "intelligent" lawyer he played in one of his blockbuster movie Abhilasha. Ironically, the screen name also was Chiranjeevi.
It is a Mega disaster!
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