PRP''s merger with Cong ''opportunist politics'', says BJP

Hyderabad, Feb 6 (PTI) BJP in Andhra Pradesh today termedactor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi''s announcement of merginghis Praja Rajyam Party with Congress as an "opportunistpolitics."

Chiranjeevi who had floated the party under the slogan of"social justice and welfare of downtrodden" has decided tomerge with Congress -- a party which never worked for thesecauses, BJP state Party Chief G Kishan Reddy told PTI.

"It is a ''U'' turn for Chiranjeevi who formed his partycriticising corrupt and wrong policies of Congress," he saidand termed the move as "opportunism".

"PRP is a sinking ship and Chiranjeevi has no capacity torun a political party," Reddy added.

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader BandaruDattatreya said, "it was unfortunate that Chiranjeevi hasdecided to merge his party with Congress for selfish politicalgain and provide employment to his partymen in Congress."

Main opposition TDP also slammed the PRP chief formerging his party with Congress, while TRS did not appear tobe worried over the development.

"This is a sell out to the Congress," senior TDP MLA DNarendra alleged.

Former TRS MP B Vinod Kumar, meanwhile, said mergers andsplits in political parties are common in India.

"We don''t think the merger of Congress and PRP is goingto delay or affect the formation of separate Telangana. PrajaRajyam has already said they will abide by whatever decisionis taken by the Centre," he told PTI.

State Congress spokesman N Thulasi Reddy too hailed themerger of Congress and Praja Rajyam.

After months of back-channel efforts, Chiranjeevi metCongress president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi today and announcedthe merger of PRP with the ruling party at the Centre.

Senior Congress leader and Defence Minister A K Antonyhad flew to Hyderabad last week and invited Chiranjeevi fortalks with the Congress president.