Ban on telecast of Chiranjeevi films sought

Hyderabad, March 17 (IANS) With Telugu film stars Junior NTR and Chiranjeevi campaigning for the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Praja Rajyam, the ruling Congress has sought a ban on the screening of their movies on television channels.

The Congress party has urged the Election Commission to stop television channels from showing the movies of Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi, his actor brothers Pavan Kalyan and Naga Babu as well as TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao's son N. Balakrishna and grandson Junior NTR.

All the actors have huge fan followings and are currently campaigning for their respective parties in different parts of the state.

The Congress feels that the screening of films and even songs featuring the actors by television channels could influence the voters. It alleged that some channels were promoting the interests of the political parties by showing their movies.

Senior Congress leader and Finance Minister K. Rosaiah called on the state's Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao Monday to demand a ban on the films by actors campaigning for various parties.

Rosaiah said Doordarshan was already following a code in this regard, which should be made applicable to all television channels.

Subba Rao said he had forwarded the Congress party's petition to the Election Commission, which would take a decision on the issue.

Chiranjeevi, his brothers and Balakrishna have been campaigning for a few days. The latest to hit the campaign trail is Junior NTR, who is called so for his resemblance to his legendary grandfather.

The massive crowd response at Junior NTR's road shows in coastal Andhra has alarmed the ruling party. His style, dialogues and theatrical punch in speeches remind one of NTR, the matinee idol who later became the state's chief minister.

Junior NTR's scathing criticism of the Congress has evoked a sharp reaction from the party leaders.

"He (Junior NTR) is talking of social justice but he should first seek justice for his mother," said Energy Minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir, pointing out that the actor's mother Shalini was yet to be accepted by NTR's family.

Junior NTR was born to the second wife of NTR's son N. Harikrishna, who is a TDP leader and Rajya Sabha member.