T Chandrashekar jumps from frying pan into political fire
The former feisty Maharashtra bureaucrat T Chandrashekar has taken the plunge into active politics by joining Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi’s nascent political outfit Praja Rajyam.
By Girish Kuber, ET Bureau |
MUMBAI: As a firebrand official, he was known for taking on politicians. However, having quit a government job, T Chandrashekar has joined the very people he loved to hate.
The former feisty Maharashtra bureaucrat has taken the plunge into active politics by joining Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi���s nascent political outfit Praja Rajyam.
Mr Chandrashekhar, one of the most decorated IAS officers (1987 batch) of the state, had quit as MHADA chief in January this year after a tiff with the state administration. He went on long leave after chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh tried to persuade him to stay on. After being in near-exile for over eight months, Mr Chandrashekhar on Thursday emerged at a function in Hyderabad to announce his entry into politics.
���I join hands with Chiranjeevi in ushering the much-needed change in politics. Now, I want to work for social justice,��� he told in the no-holds-barred style he is known for.
To an outsider, it may appear ironic that he is entering an arena he hated the most as a government official, but Mr Chandrashekhar doesn���t think so. ���What���s the big deal? I will now serve people from the other side of the table. As a former bureaucrat, it���s not much of a change. I will continue to do what I was doing but from the other side,��� he thinks.
Asked how it feels to be a politician, he says: ���As an official, my job was to deliver to the people. As a politician, I will continue to be a part of the delivery mechanism.��� But why politics? ���Because as a bureaucrat one faces a lot of hurdles while serving the people. Politics gives you the necessary freedom in this endeavour. I have shown what a government official can achieve. Now, I want to show what a bureaucrat-turned-politician can achieve,��� he said.
Will he be contesting an election? ���See, no one joins politics for charitable work. It���s too early to say what I will be doing (as a politician). But it���s not difficult to guess.���
Asked about his decision to join an untested party formed not even a month ago, he said, ���I was drawn towards Chiranjeevi as he is genuinely committed to the welfare and empowerement of the downtrodden. His selfless service, commitment and ideals will stand him in good stead.��� His party, as of now may, be confined to Andhra Pradesh. Though he refused to specify what role he would play, he made it clear that he is looking for a ���wider platform���.
And just a few hours into the role, Mr Chandrashekhar is already sounding like a seasoned politician. ���Ours is a party with a difference,��� he claimed.
The former feisty Maharashtra bureaucrat has taken the plunge into active politics by joining Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi���s nascent political outfit Praja Rajyam.
Mr Chandrashekhar, one of the most decorated IAS officers (1987 batch) of the state, had quit as MHADA chief in January this year after a tiff with the state administration. He went on long leave after chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh tried to persuade him to stay on. After being in near-exile for over eight months, Mr Chandrashekhar on Thursday emerged at a function in Hyderabad to announce his entry into politics.
���I join hands with Chiranjeevi in ushering the much-needed change in politics. Now, I want to work for social justice,��� he told in the no-holds-barred style he is known for.
To an outsider, it may appear ironic that he is entering an arena he hated the most as a government official, but Mr Chandrashekhar doesn���t think so. ���What���s the big deal? I will now serve people from the other side of the table. As a former bureaucrat, it���s not much of a change. I will continue to do what I was doing but from the other side,��� he thinks.
Asked how it feels to be a politician, he says: ���As an official, my job was to deliver to the people. As a politician, I will continue to be a part of the delivery mechanism.��� But why politics? ���Because as a bureaucrat one faces a lot of hurdles while serving the people. Politics gives you the necessary freedom in this endeavour. I have shown what a government official can achieve. Now, I want to show what a bureaucrat-turned-politician can achieve,��� he said.
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Will he be contesting an election? ���See, no one joins politics for charitable work. It���s too early to say what I will be doing (as a politician). But it���s not difficult to guess.���
Asked about his decision to join an untested party formed not even a month ago, he said, ���I was drawn towards Chiranjeevi as he is genuinely committed to the welfare and empowerement of the downtrodden. His selfless service, commitment and ideals will stand him in good stead.��� His party, as of now may, be confined to Andhra Pradesh. Though he refused to specify what role he would play, he made it clear that he is looking for a ���wider platform���.
And just a few hours into the role, Mr Chandrashekhar is already sounding like a seasoned politician. ���Ours is a party with a difference,��� he claimed.
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