PRP not to join Congress government in Andhra

HYDERABAD - Amid the fast-paced political developments in Andhra Pradesh, the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) of actor-turned-politician K.Chiranjeevi Monday decided not to join Congress government in the state.

Chiranjeevi Monday held consultations with party legislators and senior leaders ahead of his likely meeting with Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. With divergent views emerging during the consultations, the party chief decided not to join the cabinet.

PRP legislator G. Srinivas Rao told reporters after the meeting that the party would not join the government but would continue to play a constructive role as an opposition party.

When asked if the party would extend support to the Congress government, if necessary, Srinivas Rao said the party’s decision would depend on the prevailing situation.

Kiran Reddy Sunday night telephoned Chiranjeevi and invited him to talks for discussing the offer to join the cabinet. Chiranjeevi was to meet him Monday but may now take place Tuesday, where the PRP chief is likely to convey his party’s decision.

The PRP has 18 legislators in 294-member state assembly and Congress invited it to join the government to tackle any threat posed by Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, who Monday resigned from the Congress party and the Lok Sabha.

Jagan’s mother Vijayalaxmi also resigned as member of the sttate assembly and the Congress is worried over the possible impact more resignations could have on the stability of its government.

With 156 members, the Congress has a thin majority in the house and if more than a dozen legislators resign in support of Jagan, the government could be reduced to a minority.

The Congress was also keen to rope in PRP to tackle any possible dissidence after formation of the new cabinet Wednesday, but was also worried with the reaction of its own leaders.

Party MP Sabbam Hari Monday warned that he along with two to three other MPs would be forced to take a tough decision if PRP members are inducted into the cabinet.