Actor-turned-politician K. Chiranjeevi, whose Praja Rajyam merged with the Congress a few weeks ago, seems to be the only charismatic crowd-puller for the Congress in the state. He has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring victory in at least some of the constituencies in the forthcoming bypolls. The Congress is expected to win the Tirupati constituency, a seat he vacated. Juggling time between campaigning for the elections and preparations for the wedding of his actor son Ram Charan Teja, Mr Chiranjeevi spoke to this newspaper.

Excerpts from the Interview:

How are you coping within the Congress, a party that opposed you and your Praja Rajyam until recently?
A. There are no permanent enemies or friends in politics. I believe that politicians are opponents not enemies. I am like a river whose ultimate goal is to join the sea. My philosophy is to bypass the obstacles and achieve the ultimate goal. My goal was to achieve social justice, I trust the Congress will do that. I could have bargained for so many things from the Congress with my 18 MLAs, but I did not. In fact, both Rosaiah and Kiran Kumar Reddy governments were saved from collapse thanks to me. That is my satisfaction.

How can you enjoy the company of the same Congress leaders whom you targeted during the last four years?
A. I only questioned and criticised the scams and corrupt deals of the Congress government but have never attacked anyone individually. Now Sonia Gandhi refuses to tolerate corrupt people anymore. She has started a major cleansing of the party. During the last one-and-a-half years, I have not come across a single corrupt deal or scam. Is it not good for society?

PR cadres and leaders, who joined the Congress, regret not striking a better deal with the Congress...
A. My meeting with Sonia Gandhi was not a closed-door meeting. Four leaders were present and it was the late YSR who moved the proposal for merger. Soniaji requested me for a merger. I agreed only after consulting my leaders. It was during Rosaiah’s regime, when Jagan Mohan Reddy was openly promoting dissidence and desertions in the Congress MLAs that I offered my help to prevent the government from collapse. The second time, with my strength of MLAs, I saved the Kiran Kumar government from falling. There is no regret for me or my leaders. But there is dissatisfaction regarding the nominated posts that have not been filled for the last four years. I hope it will be done at the earliest.

There is a feeling amongst Congress leaders that despite the merger, the PRP vote bank has not transferred entirely to the Congress...
A. The voters are all my fans. They will not desert me for other parties. They will remain with me. Transfer of vote bank will be known only in the next general elections.

When you floated the PR, you asked why a third alternative like your party should not be allowed to flourish in politics? Jagan Mohan Reddy is asking the same now. Your response?
A. Anyone can say anything but people will go by the track record of the person. I have a clean image and am a fresher in politics. Jagan Mohan Reddy comes with a baggage of scams and controversies. A person with a criminal and corrupt image cannot tell people that he is the alternative. Credibility is the most important factor.

Do you agree that the Congress is facing a tough challenge from Jagan Mohan Reddy in the bypolls?
A. People are intelligent, they think before voting. Jagan Mohan Reddy is trying to promote himself as a saviour of the state but his popularity which was said to be 55-60 percent has started eroding and is down to 35 per cent according to a recent survey. It will be zero by the time of the next general elections. How many more sins of Jagan Mohan Reddy will come to light within the next one month is also an important factor.

Q No party has come to power for a third consecutive time in the South so far. Please comment.
A. Why can't history be created? How can anyone predict that the Congress will not form the government next time? In Delhi, Gujarat and Assam such things have happened, perhaps, it will happen in AP this time.

Q Is it true that you have promised to ensure success in only 5 to 6 constituencies in the forthcoming bypolls?
A. I am not a fool to say that. I have been misquoted in the press. I will do my best to ensure that the Congress will win in majority of the segments. Rest is in God’s hands. I am unable to adjust time between my son’s wedding preparations and the hectic campaign schedule ahead of me. But I will tour and campaign in as many segments as possible.

Q Do you expect any changes after the bypolls?
A. There will be no change in state leadership and there is no necessity for a change.

Q What is your contribution to the Congress so far?
A. I have never taken credit so far. Since you have asked I will tell you. I raised the issue of hike in power charges and asked the CM to reduce the burden on the poor and middle class. It was done immediately. I also take credit for reducing VAT on textiles. I raised the issue of SC and ST sub-plan funds diverted to other schemes with Soniaji. She ordered for immediate steps to correct it. It is being implemented. Protection of rights of tenant farmers was also thanks to me.
Distribution of booklets listing Congress schemes and programmes of government is also my idea.