India - Chiru fields poor tribal woman as first candidate

HYDERABAD: A poor and illiterate tribal woman is likely to be the first candidate of Telugu superstar-turned-politician Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam party for the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections.

T. Munemma, a daily wage labourer from Nellore district, may be fielded as a candidate of Praja Rajyam in the ensuing elections.

Chiranjeevi was so impressed by her struggle against poverty and for women's empowerment that he dropped broad hints that she would be the first party candidate.

The actor, who has vowed to bring a change in state politics and usher in social justice, introduced Munemma at a meeting on women's empowerment here on Sunday.

Terming her an inspiration for all women, the actor said people like her should be in the legislature.

"The change you want to see should come through you. You will definitely become a public representative. Praja Rajyam will be behind you," he said.

Hailing from Pambali village of Vakadu mandal in Nellore district, 30-year-old Munemma is a member of a local self-help group and works for women's empowerment. The mother of four ran a campaign in her village against liquor and brought awareness among women. She even forced her husband, also a labourer, to give up liquor.

"Some people here are talking about women's empowerment but this can't be achieved by men clad in safari suits and women wearing jewels. Chiranjeevi Anna (brother) wants to become the chief minister but this is not enough. We have to go to every village, create awareness and tell people that we will solve their problems," Munemma said.

Her confidence and daring words took everyone by surprise. But Chiranjeevi was so impressed by her words that he took her to the dais, shook hands with her and praised her before the crowd.

The actor came to know of her struggle through his party cadre and especially invited her for the meeting.

Chiranjeevi, who launched Praja Rajyam in August, claimed that his party was biased in favour of women and promised to field more number of women than any other party.

The elections to the 294-member state assembly are likely to be held in February-March next year.

The actor had last month promised to field a weaver from Sircilla assembly constituency.

During his visit to Sircilla town in Karimnagar district to meet families of weavers who committed suicide in recent years, Chiranjeevi said his party would nominate someone from the weaver community to help find a solution to their problems.