The process of the Praja Rajyam Party's merger with the Congress was officially completed on Monday, with 16 MLAs joining the latter, in the presence of Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana and Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.
At a program held at Gandhi Bhavan, Praja Rajyam president K Chiranjeevi,
who joined the Congress on Saturday in the presence of AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, and other members, in New Delhi, entered his 16 MLAs into the Congress.
Talking to media persons at the program, Chiranjeevi said that he would work towards strengthening the Congress as an ordinary worker without expecting any posts.
Indirectly targeting YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jaganmohan reddy, he said some vested elements were trying to destabilize the Kiran kumar Reddy government with an intention to come to power.
Chiranjeevi said that certain Congress MLAs, who had came to power "with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi", are trying to destabilize their own government.
He called upon party workers to tackle them effectively and save the government.
He said similar blackmailing tactics were tried when K Rosaiah was the Chief Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy said there was no threat to the state government from the Congress MLAs who had submitted their resignations in support of Jagan.
He expressed confidence that even if the government collapses due to resignations, the Congress would win with a huge majority in the next elections.
He said that the Congress has a 34% majority in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, and that the PRP has a 27% majority.
"No one can defeat the Congress in the elections," he stated.
"The Congress will recognize the services of its workers and give posts to suitable candidates at an appropriate time," he said.
He hailed Chiranjeevi for merging his party, saying the move would strengthen the Congress.
PCC president Botsa satyanarayana expressed happiness over Chiranjeevi joining the Congress party.
The PRP-elected members took the primary membership of the Congress in the presence of Congress state observer K B Krishna Murthy.
Earlier, PRP President Chiranjeevi received a rousing reception at Shamshabad Airport, who came from New Delhi after joining the Congress, and took out a massive procession from the airport to Gandhi Bhavan. (INN)