ctor-turned-politician K Chiranjeevi is now a member of Congress party, and the Praja Rajyam Party that he had founded is no more.
Hailing All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi as a 'ray of hope' for the country, and future prime minister, Chiranjeevi on Saturday formally joined the Congress party.
At the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Chiranjeevi filled up a form seeking primary membership of the Congress, in the presence of Gandhi and senior leaders.
"I will remain in the Congress for the rest of my life. I will be a loyal worker... I thank Rahulji, our Prime Minister in the future," the actor said.
Apart from Rahul Gandhi, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi and political secretary to Congress president Ahmad Patel were present on the occasion.
Praja Rajyam, which was launched in August 2008, has 18 MLAs in the 294-member AP Assembly. Chiranjeevi is believed to have some presence in coastal Andhra, especially among Kapus.
The Praja Rajyam Party will be merged with the Congress on 22 August, on the occasion of Chiranjeevi's birthday. (INN)