The Bharatiya Janata Party’s stepped up efforts to woo actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi to its fold, have put the Left parties in a dilemma. The Left, which is hoping an alliance with the Praja Rajyam is now wondering whether Chiranjeevi would sail with the BJP in the next elections. “It appears that Chiranjeevi will keep his options open for some more time and so will we,” a senior CPI(M) leader said.

The BJP did not hide its eagerness to get close to Chiranjeevi as was evident from the national president, Mr Rajnath Singh, asking the state BJP president, Mr Bandaru Dattatreya, to prepare a report on the possibilities of the two parties coming close. The party also announced that it was Mr L.K. Advani who called up Chiranjeevi after he had announced his plans on August 17.

Mr Dattatreya announced that there were lot of similarities between Chiranjeevi’s agenda and that of his party. Another senior party leader, Mr Vidyasagar Rao, described the large gathering at Tirupati as a reflection of people’s desire for change in the state politics. Till now, BJP leaders from the state were categorical in stating that Chiranjeevi called up Mr Advani and sought his blessings.