Chiranjeevi readies script for Praja Rajyam Party, Congress merger, meets partymen

The merger plans of the actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi-led Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) with the Congress are likely to come to a conclusion sometime next week once both the party chiefs meet in Delhi.

Chiranjeevi held a meeting with party seniors and elected representatives in Hyderabad on Thursday to elicit their opinion on the issue.

However, sources privy to the meeting said there was a split opinion though the party leaders unanimously authorised Chiranjeevi to take a final decision.

“There are some leaders encouraging the merger. But, others are against it since they see a bright future for PRP in the coming elections considering the weaknesses in other parties, including Congress and TDP,” a source said.
Though Chiranjeevi remained tightlipped, it is learnt that he is in a mood to merge the party with Congress. “The decision seems to be almost done except a few formalities,” another source in the party said.

The Congress had sent its senior leader AK Antony to hold preliminary talks with Chiranjeevi early this week. In fact, Antony is believed to have already made an offer to Chiranjeevi on accommodating his partymen in key posts in the government in addition to taking Chiranjeevi into national politics.

The only roadblock for now for the merger seems to be the PRP’s opposition to statehood to Telangana.