The Hindu : Front Page : Chiranjeevi rules out hung Assembly

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Monday, May 04, 2009
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Chiranjeevi rules out hung Assembly

Special Correspondent

PR chief refuses to entertain questions on the party’s post-poll allies

Says that the party will romp home winning 160 seats on its own
Makes it amply clear on sailing with the ‘Fourth Front’

HYDERABAD: Ruling out the possibility of a ‘hung’ Assembly, Praja Rajyam president K. Chiranjeevi on Sunday asserted that the party would ride to power on its own strength. At an informal interaction with the media amid district-wise reviews of the party’s electoral performance, he refused to entertain questions on the PR’s post-poll allies. “I don’t know why you are always asking this question. We are confident of bagging a minimum of 160 seats and you know it is more than enough to form the government,” he said.

‘No truck with UPA’

As for the Praja Rajyam’s role in the formation of the government at the Centre, Mr. Chiranjeevi said a firm ‘no’ to tagging along with the United Progressive Alliance, the National Democratic Alliance or the Third Front.

“You will see the emergence of a ‘Fourth Front,’ he stated. Asked about the possible constituents of the ‘Fourth Front’, he said it was too early for him to reveal the names of like-minded parties, who were discussing the modalities of coming together.

On the Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K. Chandrasekhar Rao meeting NCP president Sharad Pawar two days ago and about his view favouring Mr. Pawar as Prime Minister, Mr. Chiranjeevi clarified that he had only stated that Mr. Pawar had the qualities of holding the high office.

No name yet

“You have put two different things together. There is no question of our joining hands with the TDP and TRS in support of Mr. Pawar as PM,” he said.

To a question on the proposed Prime Ministerial candidate of the proposed Fourth Front, he said discussions were on but parties were yet to zero in on a name.

Replying to a question on the PR candidates indulging in ‘match-fixing’ and giving up their campaign, Mr. Chiranjeevi declared “Let the charges be proved first and then we will take appropriate disciplinary action.”

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