This Article is From May 29, 2010

Chiranjeevi rules out merger with Congress

New Delhi:
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Ruling out merger with Congress, the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president Chiranjeevi, who met Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon, said his party has allied with the Congress only for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Chiranjeevi arrived in New Delhi on Saturday morning on what is being seen as a mission to explore a future alliance with the Congress.

The Congress has been eyeing the support of PRP's 16 MLAs for its Rajya Sabha candidates, this could set the tone for an alliance at a later date.

Also with Congress MP Jaganmohan Reddy not listening to the party high command which had asked him to postpone his trip to Warangal, sources say Chiranjeevi is part of the Congress's plan B in Andhra Pradesh in the event of Jagan splitting the party in the state.

Jagan was taken into preventive custody on Friday after clashes between those for and against his proposed yatra in Warangal. He was later released on personal bond, but angry supporters had already set two coaches of the Padmavati Express on fire at Tirupati station in protest against the arrest.
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