Former YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy, who had stayed out of the public eye since leaving the party, announced a new political outfit on Wednesday. He named it the Parivartana Rajaneeti Party (PRP). The announcement has set off a political debate in Andhra Pradesh, as the party’s name, flag and agenda have drawn comparisons with the Praja Rajyam Party founded by actor Chiranjeevi, which also went by PRP.
The new party’s flag carries a wheel between saffron and white bands, while Praja Rajyam’s flag showed a sun between white and green. Like Chiranjeevi’s party, Reddy has made “social justice” his central plank. He said the party will aim to develop leadership among young people and ensure justice for every social group.
Critics have also pointed to other similarities. Some say his tagline, “For the nation, for dharma”, resembles one used by the BJP, and social media users have joked that the launch amounts to a BJP unit in Andhra Pradesh. Others claim the white colour and wheel are borrowed from the Jana Sena Party. Overall, commentators say the party appears to mix elements from several existing parties.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting in Vijayawada, Reddy said he will lead the party from the front but has no plans to become Chief Minister. He indicated that the PRP’s chief ministerial candidate would come from among ordinary citizens. He said his goal is to end the dominance of the two major parties and two families in the state and bring politics closer to the people.
The launch comes amid a trend of leaders reviving familiar party names. In Telangana, K. Kavitha, who left the BRS, has introduced the Telangana Raksha Sena, also abbreviated TRS and reminiscent of the original name of the party founded by K. Chandrashekar Rao.