Former TDP MP Ramachandraiah joins Chiranjeevi's party

HYDERABAD: The political migration towards "Praja Rajyam", floated by Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi, continued today with another former TDP MP C Ramachandraiah joining the party and vowing to work for its success.
Ramachandraiah, a former Rajya Sabha member and prominent backward class leader from Kadapa district, joined the new party in the presence of the actor.
Ramachandraiah, who was with TDP since its inception in 1982 and held several key positions in the regional party, had resigned from Rajya Sabha recently following differences with the party leadership.
Speaking to reporters at Praja Rajyam Party office here, he said he was drawn towards Chiranjeevi's ideals of social justice, equality and corruption-free governance.
"I am confident that under Chiranjeevi's leadership, we will usher in the much-needed change in the society," he said.
Ramachandraiah, once considered a close confidant of TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, said the regional party had deviated from the original ideals and objectives of the founder and matinee idol late N T Rama Rao.
"In Chiranjeevi, I see the same kind of commitment and dedication that NTR was endowed with," he said.
Ramachandraiah's move is the latest in the series of desertions from the main opposition TDP. HYDERABAD: Rajya Sabha member C Ramachandraiah finally made an appearance alongside Chiranjeevi at the Prajarajyam party office here on Saturday. A prominent BC leader from Kadapa district , Ramachandraiah was among the first to announce his resignation from TDP to join Chiranjeevi's party.

But, according to sources, the Chiru camp had developed cold feet after TDP leadership questioned the way its members were being poached by the actor by inviting them for breakfasts and dinners. As a result, for over a month, Chiranjeevi kept Ramachandraiah off the Prajarajyam party activities fearing a backlash from the TDP.
Finally, on Saturday, he was invited into the party fold by the megastar himself who introduced the former TDP leader to the media. "Ramachandraiah is a learned man. The Prajarajyam party will greatly benefit by the experience and knowledge of the Rajya Sabha member," Chiru said.

Chiranjeevi, for the first time, disclosed that he would soon embark on a state-wide tour urging the people who want to join his party against coming to Hyderabad for the purpose. "You need not come to Hyderabad to join the party. Sending your biodata is enough," he said.

Talking to TOI, Ramachandraiah said he left the TDP not because he was unhappy with the party. He said he owed his political stature to the party founded by NT Rama Rao. "But, the deviation of the party from its founding principles has been paining him for long. I am attracted by the social justice concept of the Prajarajyam party," he said.

Meanwhile, MLCs V Jagapathi Rao and G Haribabu Naidu, Bunga Sarathi, former DCC president, West Godavari, also joined Prajarajyam on Saturday.