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.
Showing posts with label Praja Rajyam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Praja Rajyam. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Chiru accepts Sonia invite, meet may change AP political scenario
In a major political development, the Praja Rajyam chief, Mr Chiranjeevi, has accepted an invitation from the Congress president, Ms Sonia Gandhi, to meet her on May 29 for talks on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
The former MP, Mr C. Ramachandraiah, told this correspondent on Thursday night that he had spoken to Mr Chiranjeevi who is in Mumbai and the latter had confirmed that he got an invite from Mr Veerappa Moily, AP Congress in charge and union minister, and had agreed to meet Mrs Gandhi.
It was not clear whether Mrs Gandhi will be seeking his support to enable the Congress bag four of the five seats in the Rajya Sabha elections, or whether she would allot a seat to the Praja Rajyam from its quota, keeping in view the future needs of the ruling party which has a slender majority in the House.
The development also comes in the backdrop of Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy defying the party diktat and insisting on touring Warangal district to console families of those who died in the aftermath of the death of his father, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, in September last year. Telangana groups are opposed to Mr Jagan’s tour since he is a staunch supporter of United AP.
There is speculation in the Congress that in case the over-ambitious Mr Jagan rocks the boat and floats a regional outfit with his supporters, the Congress can have the support of the Praja Rajyam’s charismatic leader, Mr Chiranjeevi, and his 18 MLAs.
The Congress has a slender majority with 157 MLAs in a House of 294. With resignations from 12 MLAs (TRS 10, TD 1, BJP 1) during the pro-Telangana agitation, the effective strength of the House is 282.
In fact when the AP Congress chief, Mr D. Srinivas, tried to have a tie-up with the Praja Rajyam for the local municipal polls, the Jagan group had scuttled it.
A few days ago Mr Chiranjeevi had said his party would field its own candidate for the RS polls, and would seek support from Congress and the MIM (Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) to garner the required 43 votes. PR has been more anti-Telugu Desam from the beginning.
Speculation was rife some time ago that Mr Chiranjeevi was not averse to a merger with the Congress. Mr K. Rosaiah, had an hour-long meeting with Mr Chiranjeevi in Tirupati, soon after taking over as Chief Minister, wherein he proposed that the PR chief support his government or merge the party with the Congress. Mr Chiranjeevi apparently told him that he would consider the offer.
There has been no activity in Mr Chiranjeevi’s party except for his undertaking some tours in districts. Also, a number of former Telugu Desam leaders have left the Praja Rajyam and rejoined the parent party.
Several PR MLAs have openly suggested a merger with the Congress since they feel it would give Mr Chiranjeevi a key role in state politics.
The former MP, Mr C. Ramachandraiah, told this correspondent on Thursday night that he had spoken to Mr Chiranjeevi who is in Mumbai and the latter had confirmed that he got an invite from Mr Veerappa Moily, AP Congress in charge and union minister, and had agreed to meet Mrs Gandhi.
It was not clear whether Mrs Gandhi will be seeking his support to enable the Congress bag four of the five seats in the Rajya Sabha elections, or whether she would allot a seat to the Praja Rajyam from its quota, keeping in view the future needs of the ruling party which has a slender majority in the House.
The development also comes in the backdrop of Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy defying the party diktat and insisting on touring Warangal district to console families of those who died in the aftermath of the death of his father, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, in September last year. Telangana groups are opposed to Mr Jagan’s tour since he is a staunch supporter of United AP.
There is speculation in the Congress that in case the over-ambitious Mr Jagan rocks the boat and floats a regional outfit with his supporters, the Congress can have the support of the Praja Rajyam’s charismatic leader, Mr Chiranjeevi, and his 18 MLAs.
The Congress has a slender majority with 157 MLAs in a House of 294. With resignations from 12 MLAs (TRS 10, TD 1, BJP 1) during the pro-Telangana agitation, the effective strength of the House is 282.
In fact when the AP Congress chief, Mr D. Srinivas, tried to have a tie-up with the Praja Rajyam for the local municipal polls, the Jagan group had scuttled it.
A few days ago Mr Chiranjeevi had said his party would field its own candidate for the RS polls, and would seek support from Congress and the MIM (Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) to garner the required 43 votes. PR has been more anti-Telugu Desam from the beginning.
Speculation was rife some time ago that Mr Chiranjeevi was not averse to a merger with the Congress. Mr K. Rosaiah, had an hour-long meeting with Mr Chiranjeevi in Tirupati, soon after taking over as Chief Minister, wherein he proposed that the PR chief support his government or merge the party with the Congress. Mr Chiranjeevi apparently told him that he would consider the offer.
There has been no activity in Mr Chiranjeevi’s party except for his undertaking some tours in districts. Also, a number of former Telugu Desam leaders have left the Praja Rajyam and rejoined the parent party.
Several PR MLAs have openly suggested a merger with the Congress since they feel it would give Mr Chiranjeevi a key role in state politics.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Chiru vows to continue agitation for Polavaram
The Praja Rajyam chief, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, vowed to continue efforts to mount pressure upon both the Centre and state governments to expedite the construction of the multi-purpose Indira Sagar (Pola-varam) project and also to get national project status for it by taking up a padayatra and hunger strike.
The Praja Rajyam’s political affairs committee (PAC) meet was held here on Thursday and it came up with several resolutions including an all party delegation to New Delhi to submit a representation to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and the UPA chairperson, Mr Sonia Gandhi, and working out a strategy to fight for the execution of the Pranahitha-Chevella project and also get national project status for it.
The PAC also proposed to strengthen party cadre and conduct a party plenary towards the end of August.
Later, addressing party cadre, Mr Chiranjeevi felt the need to tap energy of youth in the party and also called for synchronisation of energy of both party cadre and his supporters to strengthen the party.
Taking part in a separate programme for interaction with his supporters and fans, Mr Chiranjeevi said that he had plunged into politics to serve people and not to grab power. He admitted lapses in failing to work out an understanding between party cadre and his fans during the last elections, resulting in his political debacle, and called upon his fans to support to him in his efforts to bring about a social change in the state.
He also cautioned that if the Polavaram project was not completed, it could jeopardise food security in the state.
Meanwhile, the PR chief drew flak from the general public for failing to stick to schedule during his bus yatra with people waiting for him for several hours in the hot sun. Journalists protested when Mr Chiranjeevi failed to turn up for a press conference scheduled for 3.00 pm after making them wait for more than an hour.
The Praja Rajyam’s political affairs committee (PAC) meet was held here on Thursday and it came up with several resolutions including an all party delegation to New Delhi to submit a representation to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and the UPA chairperson, Mr Sonia Gandhi, and working out a strategy to fight for the execution of the Pranahitha-Chevella project and also get national project status for it.
The PAC also proposed to strengthen party cadre and conduct a party plenary towards the end of August.
Later, addressing party cadre, Mr Chiranjeevi felt the need to tap energy of youth in the party and also called for synchronisation of energy of both party cadre and his supporters to strengthen the party.
Taking part in a separate programme for interaction with his supporters and fans, Mr Chiranjeevi said that he had plunged into politics to serve people and not to grab power. He admitted lapses in failing to work out an understanding between party cadre and his fans during the last elections, resulting in his political debacle, and called upon his fans to support to him in his efforts to bring about a social change in the state.
He also cautioned that if the Polavaram project was not completed, it could jeopardise food security in the state.
Meanwhile, the PR chief drew flak from the general public for failing to stick to schedule during his bus yatra with people waiting for him for several hours in the hot sun. Journalists protested when Mr Chiranjeevi failed to turn up for a press conference scheduled for 3.00 pm after making them wait for more than an hour.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
TD wants to kill my party: Chiru
The Praja Rajyam chief, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, has ruled out any tie-up or merger of his party with the Congress.
He also expressed anger at the comments made by the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Praja Rajyam. “He (Mr Naidu) and his party’s top leaders are now busy poaching leaders from my party,” said Mr Chiranjeevi. “They want to finish my party but these desertions won’t affect it.”
Mr Chiranjeevi, who is undertaking a 15-day tour of select coastal districts from Wednesday in favour of the Polavaram project, told this correspondent on Monday that he was not worried about the future of his party and saw no reason for changing his style of functioning. “The PR will remain a third alternative in state politics,” he said.
He dismissed media reports predicting the merger of his party with the Congress. “In what way will it help the party?” he asked. “We will get some posts? I don’t bother about them. I will run the party as it is now, unmindful of what will happen in future.”
The Praja Rajyam chief added that his party had no obligation to contest all elections. “When we feel that we have the potential we would certainly contest,” he said.
He also expressed anger at the comments made by the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Praja Rajyam. “He (Mr Naidu) and his party’s top leaders are now busy poaching leaders from my party,” said Mr Chiranjeevi. “They want to finish my party but these desertions won’t affect it.”
Mr Chiranjeevi, who is undertaking a 15-day tour of select coastal districts from Wednesday in favour of the Polavaram project, told this correspondent on Monday that he was not worried about the future of his party and saw no reason for changing his style of functioning. “The PR will remain a third alternative in state politics,” he said.
He dismissed media reports predicting the merger of his party with the Congress. “In what way will it help the party?” he asked. “We will get some posts? I don’t bother about them. I will run the party as it is now, unmindful of what will happen in future.”
The Praja Rajyam chief added that his party had no obligation to contest all elections. “When we feel that we have the potential we would certainly contest,” he said.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Opposition walks out of Assembly
The Opposition parties including the Telugu Desam, the CPI, the CPM and the BJP walked out of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday alleging large-scale diversion of funds earmarked under SC, ST sub-plans for the state.
The Praja Rajyam and Lok Satta too registered their protest on the issue even as the Congress government was caught on the defensive.
The matter was raised by senior Congress MLA, Mr D.L. Ravindra Reddy, who pointed out that the SC, ST sub-plan was not being implemented properly in the state.
He also referred to the Planning Commission of India's report that found fault with the state government for not utilising the sub-plan funds properly.
The MLAs from the Opposition joined chorus on the issue and cornered the government saying there was large-scale diversion of funds meant for SCs and STs.
"In the last five years more than Rs 10,000 crore earmarked under SC, ST sub-plans remained unspent. The amount spent were used for irrelevant works like construction of
Hyderabad Outer Ring Road, improvement of Hussainsagar lake, development of Krishnapatnam port and other works," said the leader of the Opposition, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Of the Rs 5,000 crore allotted for SC welfare during the current fiscal, only 32 per cent were utilised, he said.
The Praja Rajyam leader, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, lamented that SC, ST students were languishing without basic facilities in government-run hostels due to diversion of funds.
The CPI, CPM and BJP MLAs too pointed out to the gross diversion of SC, ST funds and demanded that the government come out with a clear assurance on proper utilisation of these amounts meant exclusively for welfare and development of these sections.
Mr Naidu demanded that the Chief Minister convene a meeting with SC, ST legislators to look into the issue and take immediate corrective action.
When the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, did not respond, the Opposition MLAs staged a walk out from the House while the Praja Rajyam and the Lok Satta members registered their protest.
Later, the Chief Minister criticised the Opposition parties, particularly the TD, for trying to "talk like
champions of SCs and STs."
"It is only the Congress that always cared for the welfare and development of SCs and STs and we shall remain committed to them," Mr Rosaiah said.
The leader of the House, Mrs J. Geeta Reddy, took a dig at TD saying, "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others."
The Praja Rajyam and Lok Satta too registered their protest on the issue even as the Congress government was caught on the defensive.
The matter was raised by senior Congress MLA, Mr D.L. Ravindra Reddy, who pointed out that the SC, ST sub-plan was not being implemented properly in the state.
He also referred to the Planning Commission of India's report that found fault with the state government for not utilising the sub-plan funds properly.
The MLAs from the Opposition joined chorus on the issue and cornered the government saying there was large-scale diversion of funds meant for SCs and STs.
"In the last five years more than Rs 10,000 crore earmarked under SC, ST sub-plans remained unspent. The amount spent were used for irrelevant works like construction of
Hyderabad Outer Ring Road, improvement of Hussainsagar lake, development of Krishnapatnam port and other works," said the leader of the Opposition, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Of the Rs 5,000 crore allotted for SC welfare during the current fiscal, only 32 per cent were utilised, he said.
The Praja Rajyam leader, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, lamented that SC, ST students were languishing without basic facilities in government-run hostels due to diversion of funds.
The CPI, CPM and BJP MLAs too pointed out to the gross diversion of SC, ST funds and demanded that the government come out with a clear assurance on proper utilisation of these amounts meant exclusively for welfare and development of these sections.
Mr Naidu demanded that the Chief Minister convene a meeting with SC, ST legislators to look into the issue and take immediate corrective action.
When the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, did not respond, the Opposition MLAs staged a walk out from the House while the Praja Rajyam and the Lok Satta members registered their protest.
Later, the Chief Minister criticised the Opposition parties, particularly the TD, for trying to "talk like
champions of SCs and STs."
"It is only the Congress that always cared for the welfare and development of SCs and STs and we shall remain committed to them," Mr Rosaiah said.
The leader of the House, Mrs J. Geeta Reddy, took a dig at TD saying, "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others."
