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Chiranjeevi's PRP merges with Congress
Sunday February 06, 2011 10:18:55 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi/Hyderabad: In
a major realignment of political forces in Andhra Pradesh, Telugu
superstar K. Chiranjeevi Sunday announced the merger of his Praja
Rajyam Party (PRP) with the ruling Congress after a meeting with
Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi in the national capital.
The actor-turned-politician said there was "no opposition" from
within his three-year-old Andhra regional party to the merger.
"PRP will now merge with Congress. As of now, Chiranjeevi is part
of Congress family," Union Law Minister, M. Veerappa Moily told
reporters here, with the Telegu superstar Chiranjeevi standing by
his side.
Asked if he expected a cabinet berth, Chiranjeevi said, "I don't
expect anything. It is their (Congress) duty to allocate..."
Chiranjeevi, who had floated PRP in 2008, said he remained
committed to social justice. "The merger will help in achieving
the goal of social justice."
"I am for the betterment of the people of the state", he told
newsmen.
Saying that there were no motives, Chiranjeevi said he was "not
going to join the state government. There is no such idea". It is
a historic day, he added.
The meeting between Sonia Gandhi and Chiranjeevi Sunday took place
at the invitation of the Congress president.
The decks were cleared for the merger following a meeting between
Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Chiranjeevi in Hyderabad early
this week.
The Congress has been worried over the threat posed by former
party MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy to its government in Andhra Pradesh
and had been trying to woo the PRP to either merge with it or join
the government.
The PRP has 18 legislators in the 294-member assembly. The
Congress with 156 members, enjoys a slender majority.
The merger evoked mixed reactions in Andhra Pradesh. While the
majority of PRP legislators welcomed the move, at least two
legislators supporting Jaganmohan Reddy criticised Chiranjeevi.
There were celebrations at the PRP headquarters in Hyderabad as
supporters and fans of Chiranjeevi said they would continue to
back him irrespective of the party he is in.
State Congress spokesman N. Tulasi Reddy said the merger would
strengthen the party in Andhra Pradesh.
However, Congress leaders from Telangana, including ministers, MPs
and MLAs, went into a huddle to discuss the development as
Chiranjeevi is opposed to the demand for a separate Telangana
state.
Pro-Telangana groups see the development as an attempt by Congress
party to weaken Telangana movement.
Jaganmohan Reddy's camp hit out at Chiranjeevi, saying the merger
was for his selfish interests.
The merger comes ahead of the budget session of the state assembly
beginning Feb 17.
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