In order to counter the movie glamour in the Telugu Desam and the Praja Rajyam, the Congress has decided to take the help of movie stars owing allegiance to the party. Actors who joined the Congress have promised to spare at least three days in a month from now on to participate in pre-poll campaigns to counter the challenge posed by Chiranjeevi and the Nandamuri clan. The actors met at the Chief Minister’s camp office on Sunday evening and took this decision.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, sought their help to undertake a vigorous campaign for the party for at least one day in a week. and asked them to spare more time from December to take up road shows in all districts. Dr Reddy sought their help to publicise the various development and welfare activities taken up by the state government during the party’s four-and-a-half year rule.

The Chief Minister said that a campaign by actors would be more effective and they should formulate their party activity in such a way as to attract the people towards the Congress. “You need not criticise party leaders or actors campaigning for other parties. If you can effectively explain to the people what this government is doing in a positive way with facts and figures that is more than enough,” Dr Reddy told them.

Actor Jayasudha who joined the party recently said that she was going to campaign from Prakasam district to bring youth into the party fold. The actor couple Rajasekhar and Jeevitha assured the Chief Minister that they will undertake a vigorous campaign in Godavari districts to counter the impact of Chiranjeevi. The PCC president, Mr D. Srinivas, who was present at the meeting came forward to appoint co-ordinators from the party to formulate the actors’ campaign programmes and provide support.