Telugu actor Ali joins YSR Congress

Ending speculations, Telugu actor Ali on Monday joined the YSR Congress party.

The comedian called on YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy at the latter's Lotus Pond residence here and joined the party.

Ali, whose full name is Mohammad Ali Basha, told reporters that he would campaign for the party and would like to see Jaganmohan Reddy as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The actor said he has no immediate plans to contest elections but admitted he dreams of becoming a Minister. "Jaganmohan Reddy stands by his word and that is why I have joined YSR Congress," he said.

Simultaneous elections to Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha are scheduled on April 11.

Ali had earlier met Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan, but finally picked YSR Congress for his political entry.

The 49-year-old actor, who hails from Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, said he felt that he will not have a secure future in TDP.

"Friendship is different from politics," he remarked when asked about not joining his friend and well-known actor Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena.

Ali has acted in many films featuring Pawan Kalyan in the lead.

--IANS

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