HYDERABAD: As expected, Chiranjeevi is showing more interest in the Congress than in the NDA.
The Congress, which is not very sure of mustering the requisite numbers at the Centre, is trying to rope in as many allies as possible and in this endeavour Praja Rajyam looks a better bet for it.
Congress general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad broke the ice with Chiranjeevi today by calling him and seeking his party’s support to the UPA at the Centre. The Congress expects the Praja Rajyam to net at least four Lok Sabha seats in the State -- and in an uncertain scenario every MP will be vital.
The spadework was done by Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy. He had a telephonic talk with Chiranjeevi and requested support to the UPA at the Centre.
The matinee idol and Reddy have been friends in the past and this helped him put Azad on to the PRP honcho.
According to reliable sources, Azad is also believed to have canvassed support at the State level too should things look dicey for the Congress.
Chiranjeevi, for his part, is believed to have put forth his terms and conditions to Azad -- including an assurance from the Congress that in the event of the PRP supporting the UPA at the Centre and in the State, the next AP chief minister should be from the backward classes.
This, according to sources, would help the PR reinforce its image of a party wedded to the cause of social justice.