Chiranjeevi merges his Praja Rajyam Party with Congress

New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) Nearly 30 months after launchinghis party with much fanfare, Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevitoday announced its merger with Congress, which is trying tocounter the possible threat posed by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy inAndhra Pradesh.

Emerging after a 15-minute meeting with Congress PresidentSonia Gandhi, Chiranjeevi said the decision was taken keepingin mind the "best interests" of the people of Andhra Pradeshas both Congress and PRP fight for social justice.

"We have decided to merge PRP with the Congress. Thedecision has been taken without any condition. There are noconditions at all," Chiranjeevi told reporters outsideGandhi''s residence.

AICC general secretary in-charge for Andhra Pradesh MVeerappa Moily said, "Chiranjeevi has merged his party withthe Congress. He has now become a member of the Congressfamily. I am quite happy."

Defence Minister A K Antony, who had met Chiranjeevi inHyderabad recently and invited him for talks with Gandhi,was also present in the meeting.

Asked whether the move was to counter the threat posed byJaganmohan, Moily said "We are not against anybody. The moveis just to strengthen the Congress. We are not against anypersonality."

Chiranjeevi insisted that the merger has been agreed uponwithout any pre-conditions and that he has no "selfishmotives".

"I do not expect anything at all. Not at all. I will bewhat I am today," he said in response to queries on whether hewould join the N Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet.