Actor Chiranjeevi is buying a helicopter with advanced features to tour the state. Sources close to the actor said that an order has been placed with a British helicopter company. The nine-seater AW109 model twin-engine helicopter can take the actor to even the remote areas in AP.

"After launching the party on August 17, he will start meeting people. The schedule for the state tour will be finalised after the Tirupati public meeting on August 26. The chopper will help him move quickly from place to place," said an active leader in Chiranjeevi’s camp. The helicopter will be customised as per Chiranjeevi’s requirements for campaigning. Earlier, many choppers were supposed to be bought. However, the cost factor forced the party to buy one exclusively for Chiranjeevi.

Meanwhile, the actor hoisted the national flag at his new party office in Jubilee Hills. He won many a heart by choosing mentally challenged children to participate in the function. He mingled with the children and joked with them and distributed sweets to them. He spent most of the time answering their questions. Clad in a white kurta and pyjama, he came to the party office at 10.40 am and waved to a large number of his fans who had gathered outside the office building. "I was very active in the NCC. The flag hoisting and singing the national anthem remind me of those days. I hope there are good days for all of us," he said.

Chiranjeevi had participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi as an NCC cadet in the early 70s. The film star is scheduled to announce his political foray on Sunday next. Film star Pavan Kalyan participated in flag hoisting at many places in the City. But Loksatta party raised objection alleging that Pavan had used their party’s flag post to hoist national flag.