CBI ex-chief Nageswara Rao launches political party with spiritual mentor

Nageswara Rao, the former director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, has launched a new political party called the Sarvajana Sanatana Party (SSP) from Varanasi. The party was formally established with Avimukteshwaranand, a spiritual figure, designated as 'chief mentor'.

The formation marks Rao's entry into electoral politics following his tenure leading the country's premier investigating agency. However, Rao has clarified that the party does not intend to contest elections in the immediate term, focusing instead on building its organisational foundation and ideological base.

The choice of Varanasi as the launch venue reflects the party's spiritual and cultural orientation. The Sarvajana Sanatana Party appears positioned to appeal to voters on the basis of traditional and nationalist values, with Rao's administrative background lending institutional credibility to the new venture.