Scotching rumours of Praja Rajyam Party's possible merger with the Congress, actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi on Wednesday said his party would retain its independent status and function as a "vibrant Opposition" in Andhra Pradesh.
"Those who do not want Praja Rajyam to flourish, keep carrying out a misinformation campaign that it would be merged with the Congress. Why should I merge PRP with others, when lakhs of people are with me… When I have the love and blessings of all you? You condemn this campaign when someone says that PRP will be merged with others," he said in his inaugural address at the party's first plenary in this port city.
Speculations that the PRP would merge with the Congress began following Chiranjeevi's indication that his party, which completed two years since formation, may bail out the ruling party if such a situation arose.
Chiranjeevi had decided not to field his party candidate in the recent Rajya Sabha polls on the request of Congress president Sonia Gandhi during a meeting between the two in New Delhi. Media reports also said the Congress may rope in the Telugu superstar to checkmate the rebellious MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
"Praja Rajyam would function as a vibrant opposition towards addressing the problems of people but would not try to belittle the ruling party just for the sake of it or to gain political mileage. It will be like a swan. We will appreciate the Congress government if they do good and condemn them if they do bad," he told a press conference ahead of the inauguration of the plenary.
Chiranjeevi also said his party would be open to have a political understanding with like-minded party and also to an alliance at the time of elections.
"We are ready to work with like-minded parties towards addressing the problems of people. We are ready for electoral alliances also. This is a coalition era and no party including the Congress, BJP and Telugu Desam, have fought elections on their own," he said.
The PRP chief, however, added that elections to both Lok Sabha and Andhra Pradesh Assembly are far away and it is too early to talk about electoral alliances now.
Alleging that the ruling Congress and main opposition TDP failed in mitigating the sufferings of the people, Chiranjeevi said his party would sincerely work for addressing the problems of people without having any political motives.
"Farmers suicides are still continuing. Fertilisers and quality seeds is not available to them. White ration cards (PDS cards for poor) were given in crores before elections to garner votes. But they are taking away the cards from them in the name of plugging loopholes," he alleged.
Also, mid-day meal scheme is not being implemented properly. There are many problems. Praja Rajyam would work for finding a logical and rational end to the problems, he said.
Chiranjeevi came down heavily on both the Congress and the TDP for their alleged corruption and political machinations.
He cited the allegations of corruption in transfer of land by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) to Emaar Properties, a private firm, and illegal mining leases during the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy administration.