A new beginning, says Chiranjeevi

Explaining his stand: Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi greeting party activists at a general body meeting at Nagole in Hyderabad on Monday. (Right) PR party members at the meeting.



HYDERABAD: Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi signalled the winding up of the two-and-half-year-old party, following its decision to merge with the Congress, but clarified that it only meant the beginning of continued struggle to achieve social justice, though on a different path.



At a general body meeting of the party, attended by its mandal, district and State-level executive members — a move necessitated by procedures prescribed by the Election Commission — he described his decision to merge with the national party as a ‘win-win' situation. Members of the Praja Rajyam's Political Affairs Committee and 10 of its 18 MLAs attended.



Mutually beneficial



He said the thought of joining hands with the Congress was initially tough, but one that he later found to be mutually beneficial. This was because of the reality of a political climate where no single party could get a majority and when coalition politics were inevitable. “People have to understand the political truth,” he said, expressing satisfaction that leaders and cadres were behind him.











Mr. Chiranjeevi added he had put forth some conditions at his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, before announcing the merger. “I wanted assurances on Polavaram project and Pranahita-Chevella project too, apart from asking for strict monitoring to ensure that funds meant for welfare of the scheduled castes and tribes were not diverted and others, 11 in all and Ms. Gandhi agreed,” he added.



Senior leader C. Ramachandraiah said he would strive to get political, social, educational and economic recognition for the neglected sections as only then would they be called truly empowered. Party leader T. Manohar read out a resolution that said all partymen would abide by the decision of the president and that in future too, they would be with him. The gathering approved the resolution.



Among those who also spoke were MLAs Vanga Geetha, Anil Eravathri, senior leaders Kotagiri Vidyadhar Rao and B. Veda Vyas.



They said that given Mr. Chiranjeevi's popularity in other States too, he would play a pivotal role in improving the Congress' prospects and would be the party's choice as Chief Minister in Andhra Pradesh.