Chiranjeevi's PRP merges with Congress in Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi: After much speculation and a meeting with AICC President Sonia Gandhi in the capital, Praja Rajyam Party chief Chiranjeevi announced that his party will indeed join with the Congress in Andhra Pradesh.

Congress spokesperson Veerappa Moily said the alliance will strengthen the party's influence in state in the face of opposition from dissident Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Chiranjeevi, however, said that no PRP member will join Cabinet in the AP government.
Earlier today, Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi met AICC President Sonia Gandhi and held discussions on strengthening the relationship between the two parties in Andhra Pradesh. Coming in the backdrop of the agitation for a Telangana state and churnings in state Congress , the meeting is expected to discuss proposals like PRP members being inducted into Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy Government among others.
"I am here to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. I am here at her invitation. We will hold discussions on various issues," he told reporters on his arrival here from Hyderabad.

Political analysts believe that Congress is roping in Chiranjeevi to counter the threat posed by its former MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's yet-to-be launched party. They also feel that PRP's 18 MLAs can save the Congress government by shoring up the legislative arithmetic if there is a threat to it.
Chiranjeevi also said there is no going back on his party's stand of supporting a united Andhra Pradesh.
"Do you know what the Congress' stand is"? he shot back when a reporter asked about his party's stand on the contentious issue.
The meeting comes after Defence Minister A K Antony had met Chiranjeevi in Hyderabad recently and invited him for talks with Gandhi.
Source: India Syndicate/Agencies