Chiranjeevi's party to support Cong. in RS polls

New Delhi, May 30: South Indian superstar Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) has pledged its support to the ruling Congress in the coming Rajya Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh as the national party fell short by six votes to get its fourth candidate elected to the Upper House.The agreement between the Congress and PRP was reached at a meeting between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and PRP chief Chiranjeevi at Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence here Saturday. Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel, Union Minister for Law and party in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Veerappa Moily and PRP leader C Ramchandraiah were also present. The PRP has decided to withdraw its candidate for the Rajya Sabha election and its 18 MLAs in the state Assembly shall now vote in favour of Congress candidate, Ramchandriah said. With this, Congress' candidates victory in four seats has been ensured, for which it required 164 votes but, prior to the understanding with the PRP, was falling short by six votes. The PRP leader maintained that no favour has been sought from the Congress in return, though he added that Gandhi's support was asked for getting two irrigation schemes in the state declared as national projects. The arrangement with PRP will spell double benefit for the Congress as the party was facing prospects of revolt by former chief minister late YSR Reddy's son Jagan Mohan and his loyalists. Reddy's lobby has support of about 18 MLAs and if they leave the Congress, Rosaiah's government would have been reduced to majority. The PRP's support in such a scenario could come handy for the ruling party.
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