Hyderabad, Feb 2: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy appears to be troubled by the opposition of the 'Kapu' community led by the PCC Chief Botsa Satyanarayana to his authority and is engaged in efforts to please the actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, also a Kapu, to his side. Botsa has already created excellent relationship with Chiranjeevi and kept him under the impression that it was his word that prevailed with the Congress high command and not the Chief Minister's. Botsa has also reportedly convinced Chiranjeevi that Kiran is a 'Reddy' fanatic and is opposed to the majority community 'Kapus'.

The Congress high command is looking at Chiranjeevi as the saviour of the party in the absence of Dr. Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. It wants to use Chiranjeevi extensively as a star campaigner in the 2014 general elections, to retain power both in the state and at the centre.

Sensing the importance of Chiru, Botsa has already roped in his support, using his caste card. Botsa has been relentlessly working to weaken the Chief Minister and is using every Delhi trip to brighten his chances as the Chief Minister.

Now Kiran started making his own moves to take Chiranjeevi into his fold. The latest incident of interest is Kiran taking Chiru along with him in the government helicopter to Medaram in Warangal district to perform Pujas to Sammakka and Saralamma. Congress leaders were surprised at the CM's gesture as Chiranjeevi doesn't represent Warangal. It is a custom that the local ministers and MLAs are invited to such functions and not Tirupati MLA.

Kiran has pleased Chiranjeevi by taking both his nominees Ganta Srinivasa Rao and C Ramachandraiah (both Kapus) into his cabinet. He has accommodated Ramachandraiah despite stiff opposition from his own party leaders, including minister D L Ravindra Reddy and MLA Veera Shiva Reddy. Kiran is also believed to have assured Chiranjeevi that he would get one more minister post to PRP. Likewise, Kiran has also accommodated Chiru's nominees as Information Commissioners. Vijaya Nirmala, who was defeated as PRP candidate in 2009 elections was made Information Commissioner, at Chiranjeevi's insistance. It is also being said that apart from a minister from Guntur, Chiranjeevi has also supported the candidature of Andhra Prabha editor Vijaya Babu as Inforation Commissioner.

In his anxiety to become close to Chiranjeevi, Kiran is apparently drawing the wrath of some of his cabinet colleagues. It is learnt that health minister D L Ravindra Reddy is already in New Delhi, campaigning against the Chief Minister on the way he has appointed Information Commissioners.