Gossip: Chiru In, Dasari Out?

Now that the entry of Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi into the Congress has been more or less confirmed, veteran producer-director and Rajya Sabha member Dasari Narayana Rao has become a worried man. His bête noir Chiranjeevi is grabbing all the limelight with Congress going all-out to woo him into the party fold.

This is not to the linking of Dasari whose rivalry with the megastar is well-known in film circles.

Both are influential “Kapu” leaders. Before Chiranjeevi took plunge into politics, Dasari had a gala time in Congress, being the best known “Kapu” face in the party with an added attraction of Tollywood background. However, ever since Congress started the process of warming up to Chiranjeevi, subtle signals were sent to Dasari that he was no more required in the party.

Then, he was dropped from the Union Cabinet. Rubbing salt into the wounds, the producer-director was never consulted on the issue of roping in Praja Rajyam Party’s support to strengthen the government.

Feeling slighted and humiliated, Dasari has been keeping himself away from Congress these days. A question mark hangs over his political future now.

Will he slowly drift towards Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy camp or Telugu Desam Party? This is the question doing rounds in political circles.

Recently, he directed “Paramveer Chakra” starring Nandamuri Balakrishna and sang praises of the scion of NTR. This triggered speculation that he may cosy up to the TDP. However, given the caste combination, he may be a misfit there. On the other hand, there is a buzz in political circles that Jagan camp may try to woo him into the new regional party.