Minister welcomes Chiru, hopes Jagan will rejoin Congress

The first positive reaction over the Praja Rajyam Party president K Chiranjeevi being invited by Sonia Gandhi's special emissary A K Antony to visit New Delhi to strike an alliance chord came from the state government through a Cabinet Minister at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Rural Development Minister Doka Manikya Varaprasad Rao, who came unannounced to the media point in the forenoon to speak to the media persons, welcomed Mr Chiranjeevi’s decision to respond positively to Mr Antony’s invitation.

While expressing his gratitude, Mr Varaprasad Rao welcomed the PRP chief decision by saying, "I welcome his bold step." The Minister added that PRP's support strengthens the ruling party in AP.

For obvious reasons, the Congress had entertained its own apprehensions in the light of Kadapa's rebel leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy's oft repeated 'warning' that his lenience was responsible for survival of Kiran Kumar Reddy government.

Asked whether High Command had any such misgivings, the Minister replied in the negative.

On the other hand, he clarified this is a 'continuous process' where there was enough room for management. He also pointed out that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi had earlier too joined the Congress ruled government both at the Centre and the state.

They shared power with the Congress, Mr Varaprasad Rao said, and added that he saw nothing wrong if the PRP did the same.

Mr Chiranjeevi had clarity and was convinced that the welfare schemes meant for the poor should be implemented as to transfer the fruits of democracy to the downtrodden.

Fielding another poser, the Minister maintained that whether Chiranjeevi was integrationist or not was not the criteria (for his being asked to join the government).There cannot be any linkage between the politics and the Telangana issue, he stated.

Further asked about Mr Jaganmohan Reddy's stand, Mr Varaprasad Rao spoke in support of the former take a 'U' turn to join the Congress ranks to work under Sonia Gandhi's captaincy.

The Minister had no personal equations with anybody whomsoever it may be and looked forward to Mr Jaganmohan Reddy reconsidering his stand to branch off in his chosen direction.

Mr Varaprasad also went on to clarify that there was a mixed brand of leadership in the Congress party - one section towing the line of separatism and another against it.

Clarifying on another poser, the Minister asserted that the Kiran Kumar Reddy government would not only last till 2014 but it would rule beyond 2014 also.

He disagreed with suspended PCC general secretary Ambati Rambabu's comments against Ms Sonia Gandhi which he said were uncalled for and unwarranted.

Those in public life were expected of maintaining a decency and decorum while expressing their

views, Mr Varaprasad Rao added.