At least seven PRP legislators, including two from Rayalaseema, have reportedly expressed their displeasure over the merger which was made public a couple of days ago.
Allagadda MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy and Banganapalle legislator Katasani Ram Reddy, both from Kurnool district, who have proved their allegiance towards Y S Jaganmohan Reddy by taking part in rallies in Delhi and Odarpu Yatra, have been a constant worry for the leadership.
Cold feet
Desptite daring Chiranjeevi to take action against them, the party leadership appears to have developed cold feet, reportedly to keep its tally intact in the Assembly.
For, a smoother merger with the Congress without attracting the provisions of the Anti- Defection Act, Chiranjeevi, who enjoys the support of only 18 legislators in the state Assembly, needs at least 12 to strengthen its new tie-up with the Congress. Allaying fears of a possible rebellion in the party, PRP spokesperson Vasi Reddy Padma said the merger decision was taken after detailed confabulation with all concerned.
A PRP founder, who left the organisation a year ago, shared his concerns about achieving the party’s objective of empowering the backward classes with the Congress at the helm of affairs.
Chenna Krishna, from whom Chiranjeevi borrowed the name of the party, is gearing up to seek legal intervention to stall the merger.
“I trusted Chiranjeevi and gave him the title of the PRP and it was supposed to be an anti-Congress party,” said Chenna Krishna.
In a related development, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu is making an all-out effort to bring those who who left the party to embrace the PRP back to its fold.
“I welcome the entire PRP members back to the TDP to join the battle against the Congress,” Naidu said in Prakasam district.