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After weeks of back channel talks between the two parties, actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, a strong votary of a united Andhra Pradesh, met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at her residence here for over 50 minutes and finalised his merger plans that could bring new political alignment in the state.
"We have decided to merge the PRP with the Congress. It is in the best interests of the state of Andhra Pradesh...it is an historic occasion for (the state and the two parties)," he told reporters outside Gandhi's residence.
During the meeting, attended by Congress leaders A K Antony and Veerappa Moily, 55-year-old Chiranjeevi said he discussed with Sonia the current political situation in the state and various developmental projects that will benefit people.
Moily said: "We welcome him. He has joined the Congress family from today."
Chiranjeevi's PRP, which was launched in August, 2008, has 18 MLAs in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly and his decision to merge with Congress can give its government some stability in case the 25 party MLAs loyal to Jagan break from it.
The actor also brings with him a considerable chunk of backward Kapu community votes spread mainly in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, but has only negligible in the Telangana area where a strong separatist movement is currently on.
Troubled by the revolt of Jagan, son of late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the Congress had removed the ageing veteran K Rosaiah and brought in a much younger Kiran Kumar Reddy and had been working on other ways to strengthen the party.
MLAs loyal to Reddy have been attending rallies and fasts organised by the young leader defying the party High Command.
The PRP has 18 MLAs in the 294-member state Assembly and the Jagan camp claims to have the support of at least 25 MLAs. By roping in Chiranjeevi, the Congress, which has 155 MLAs, may be able to face a trial of strength in the Assembly more confidently.
Of the 18 PRP MLAs, two are with Jagan and one is in support of Telangana movement.
Chiranjeevi said PRP's merger with Congress was agreed upon without any pre-conditions as he was bothered "only about the betterment of the poor, downtroden and deprived sections of the society."
"No. Not all. I don't have such motives. I will be working for the people as I am (doing) now," he said, replying to a volley of queries whether he would be part of the state government.
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Very wise decision, may all his dreams and vision of united andhra come true. My best wishes to chiru. I am Raj Bahadur's friend. Raj is in turn Rajini's friend, i think you know him. All the best.
this chiranjeevi really is the bad actor when it comes to values, he tells because to strengthen the poor he joine congress, as an actor when he used to earn so much money how much charity he is giving to the poor, his only aim is to become CM or some powerful minister and further increae his welath, name, fame, why he floated a party and fooled all people puttng photos of Gandhi, Mother Theresa
One can't imagine that Chiranjeev can stoop so low. He has fought against Congress and after winning a few seats stabbed in the back of electrorates who voted for his party. It appears that there is no dearth of shameless politicians. Apart from shameful act of Chiranjeev, Congress has once again proved that to remain in power, the party can go to any extent irrespective of whether he is A.Raja, Deshmukh, Vaghela or Sanjay Nirupam.
Our democracy is a big scam.Unless second freedom struggle ensues our country will go to dogs.Chiranjeevi went to polls with slogan of 'smajika nyayam' ie social justice. Within 3 yrs samaj has been thrown into ocean .He merges his political business with bigger political business.This certainly must have fetched him handsome profits.
He started the party to replace a corrupt party now by joining he made himself a fool and cheated the masses. He is only bothered about his and his few party members personal profits before the people who are suffering under the price rise,inflation and problems of law and order. There should be a proper guide lines to start a party by starting parties like this they are doing worst harm to the Indian public and democracy where the education levels are low to understand implications of this sort to the country and to the public. There is another party in the wings to have the same fate.Jaihind
Utilization og 2G money to save cong govt in AP. JPC is the need of the day to investigate Sonia and Manmohan's involvement in corruption. They have spoiled India's name worldwide. They should be beind jail.