The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Byelections in A.P. today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 29, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Byelections in A.P. today

YSR confident that Congress will get absolute majority
Predicts ‘total marginalisation’ of TDP in the bypolls

HYDERABAD: Criticising Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K. Chandrasekhar Rao for “not doing his homework properly” in opting for byelections to be held on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said that the bypolls had helped the Congress to project its ‘good deeds’ through a vibrant publicity campaign.

The Congress was sure to get absolute majority in the byelections, but the Chief Minister said he did not feel that the Telangana sentiment would be diluted even if the TRS secured lesser number of seats. The bypolls were being fought on various issues, including the candidate’s track record and the party philosophy and the Congress was confident of securing positive vote on the strength of the development and welfare works launched on an unprecedented scale in the last four years.

Good opportunity

Replying to queries at a press conference here on Wednesday, Dr. Reddy said the Congress’ campaign that the TDP had no moral right to seek votes while Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao lacked commitment on Telangana had gone down well with the people. “The election has provided an opportunity to expose Mr. [Chandrababu] Naidu and Mr. Rao. People who heard both the sides will take an appropriate decision,” he said.

He foresaw “total marginalisation” of the opposition Telugu Desam once the results of the bypolls come out. He expressed apprehensions that TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu was likely to join forces with the BJP in future.

“Mr. Naidu thinks the BJP is on the rise after the Karnataka elections and he is trying ways to reach the BJP,” he said.

This was evident from the fact that he directly called BJP leader L.K. Advani after the Karnataka results came in.

“There is nothing abnormal in Mr. Naidu congratulating B.S. Yeddyurappa. But reports that he congratulated Mr. Advani directly suggest that he is trying to go near the BJP,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh