Chiranjeevi seeks allies

BY J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Sept. 24: In a reversal of its earlier stance of not taking part in coalitions, the Praja Rajyam on Wednesday said it would set up an alliance with like-minded parties against the Congress as well as the Telugu Desam. The decision comes in the wake of the poor response that the fledgling party is receiving. The strategy of forging alliances was disclosed by the Prajya Rajyam chief, Chiranjeevi.

"We are for alliances with like-minded parties. At present I can’t say with whom we are going to align. It is sure that we will forge alliances with other parties," Chiranjeevi told the media persons at the PR headquarters, referring to the anti-Congress coalition being sewn up by the Telugu Desam. Chiranjeevi was speaking after unveiling a book on the social thinker Mahatma Jyotirao Phule written by the dalit poet Katti Padma Rao.

When he was reminded of his earlier decision of going to the polls on his own strength, Chiranjeevi replied that the party had resolved to have a truck with other parties "for the welfare of the people." Disclosing the details of his meeting with the CPI state secretary, Mr K. Narayana, Chiranjeevi said, "Mr Narayana and I discussed at length various issues relating to the people. But the matter of alliances did not figure in the meeting."