Chiru seals Congress RS election pact

Keeping the promise made to the Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the Praja Rajyam on Tuesday unanimously decided to extend unconditional support to the ruling party in the ensuing Rajya Sabha elections.

The Praja Rajyam chief, Mr Chiranjeevi, also decided to write to Mrs Gandhi formally announcing his party’s support for Congress candidates. He had met her the other day in Delhi. The unanimous decision by the party offers much relief to the Congress and also heralds a new political realignment in the state.

In one deft move, Mrs Gandhi has ensured support of 18 MLAs for her party and has also checkmated Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who may get the backing of some MLAs in case he decides to re-start his Odarpu Yatra again.

Praja Rajyam sources said that majority of party leaders were happy at the outcome of Mr Chiranjeevi’s meeting with Mrs Gandhi and the subsequent decision to support the Congress.

The party chief briefed the political affairs committee on the discussions that took place in the meeting with Mrs Gandhi in New Delhi recently and about her request to the PR to support Congress nominees.