Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi joins government

Telugu superstar-turned-politician K. Chiranjeevi, who merged his Praja Rajyam Party with the Congress last year, was Sunday made minister of state with independent charge in the Manmohan Singh government.

Chiranjeevi's induction is expected to give a boost to the Congress prospects in the state where the party is facing a tough challenge from the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress.

Chiranjeevi, who belongs to coastal Andhra Pradesh, had joined the Congress along with 18 MLAs.