The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, has spoiled Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi’s high-profile tour even before it has been launched. Mr Naidu has decided to launch the second phase of his Mee Kosam Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti, when Chiranjeevi was also planning to set out on his tour. Though the Praja Rajyam leadership had asked Chiranjeevi fans associations to prepare for the tour, it has not bothered to officially announce the schedule so far.

Seizing upon this lapse, Mr Naidu decided to commence the second round of Mee Kosam Yatra on October 2. “Now, the Praja Rajyam tour launch would not get much media coverage, as we are also launching our campaign on the same day,” said a senior TD leader. Mr Naidu also outsmarted Chiranjeevi by announcing that fight against corruption would be his theme for the second round of Mee Kosam.

This too would steal the wind from Chiranjeevi’s sails since he had also been planning to lash out at corruption during his tour. Through these moves, Mr Naidu has scored over the megastar, whose party is yet to learn the ropes of the political game. The TD chief would start his tour from Manchiryal in Adilabad district, where the Yellampally project has been taken up. He would be raising the corruption allegation relating to the project again to give impetus to his tour.

He will also spend time in tribal areas, where several people have died reportedly because of the lack of proper medical facilities. “Mr Naidu would spend a night in a remote village in the Adilabad district to know the conditions there first hand.” said Mr Ravula Chandrasekar Reddy, senior leader.