Congress will win Andhra elections: Reddy

Hyderabad, Mar 21 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday expressed his confidence that Congress would win the coming elections in the state.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress Legislature Party office in Hyderabad, Reddy said, "There is absolutely no anti-incumbency against our government because we have taken up unprecedented development. At the same time, we implemented massive welfare measures which left people with no complaints whatsoever against the government."

He informed that all major surveys conducted by reputed agencies in recent months have revealed that Congress is a favourite amongst the voters.

"It will be a positive vote for us and we will clinch the gold medal in the electoral race," exclaimed Reddy.

He asserted that the credibility of his government in Andhra Pradesh has increased with the fulfillment of all promises made during the 2004 election campaigns.

Reddy said that the main opposition in the state, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) could not perform well which led to the birth of actor Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party (PRP). Even if there is a certain amount of anti-incumbency, such votes will now be split between TDP and PRP, making it smoother for the Congress, he pointed out.

Criticising the grand alliance including Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M), Reddy said that there was no ideological cohesion among them.

"CPM is a major party in the Third Front. But it is grossly opposed to division of states. Then how will Telangana achieve statehood," he said.

Reddy would start his election campaign on March 25 and end it on April 21.

The 2009 general election in Andhra Pradesh would happen in two phases. The first phase is scheduled on April 16 and the second on April 22 and 23. (ANI)