Ahead of his meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi today gave ample hints that his party will reach an understanding with the Congress in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh, a move that will avert a contest.
"I have come to Delhi with an open mind to meet Sonia Gandhi. We will discuss the issue (Rajya Sabha polls) with mutual understanding," Chiranjeevi told reporters at the airport on his arrival here.
The actor-turned politician was asked by the Congress high command to come here for discussions to reach an understanding on the biennial Rajya Sabha polls after he announced that his party would contest the election.
Chiranjeevi will meet Sonia later in the day after she returns from Jammu.
If PRP, which has 18 members in the 294-member Assembly, sticks to its decision, a contest will be thrust upon the Congress, which it doesn't want in view of eruption of factionalism in the state unit after the death of late chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
Chiranjeevi also ruled out merging his party with the Congress as the PRP was functioning as a constructive opposition in the state.
Asked whether his party will have an alliance with the Congress in the local body elections in the state, he said, "Let us see. We are just going to begin the consultations. Let us see how the situation warrants and political compulsions are."
He saw no wrong in having an understanding with Congress as it was a secular party.
"Congress is a secular party like ours. So there is nothing wrong... but let us see... we are like-minded parties," he said.
"We have been opposing Congress only on the basis of issues. I have great regards for the prime minister and the Congress president," he said.
Asked whether his visit can be seen in the context of Kadapa MP Jaganmohan Reddy embarrassing the Congress by going ahead with his 'Odarpu' yatra despite being told not to do so, Chiranjeevi said: "I don't think so."
