Congress responsible for Jagan win: Naidu

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Blaming the Congress for the bypoll debacle, Telugu Desam chief Chandrababu Naidu told this newspaper, “YSRC won due to the illogical statements made by (Congress incharge of AP affairs) Ghulam Nabi Azad, the police van episode, Jagan arrest among others,” he remarked.

Looking dull, Mr Naidu said the party would review the results and ascertain the reasons for debacle and prepare an action plan to revive the party.

“The statement of Mr Azad that Jagan would have been a Union minister or Chief Minister if he had been in the Congress sent a wrong message. The van episode added to it. All these things added up,” Mr Naidu said. “Unprecedented use of money power was also a factor.”

Mr Naidu said the party has been fighting against corruption, anti-farmers and anti-peoples policies, rise in prices of essential commodities and other burning public issues.

“We exposed YSR’s corruption when he was alive and brought out a book, Raja of Corruption. Despite presenting the facts, the Congress failed to take action,” Mr Naidu said, adding, “Our fight against corruption will continue.”

While there will not be any immediate fallout of the defeat, Mr Naidu will definitely face tough times ahead including party leaders shifting loyalties to Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and a likely demand from the NTR clan for a change in leadership.

While Mr Naidu seemed confident that the party would rectify its shortcomings in time for the 2014 elections, the task will not be easy.

The Telugu Desam has been on a losing streak since 2004 and prominent party leaders have moved to the TRS, Congress and the YSR Congress.

“It’s the sympathy wave that helped the YSR Congress. The Telugu Desam will certainly return with a bang. In fact, these are not our seats,” said senior TD leader M. Narasimhulu.

Telugu Desam performance

* Assembly seats contested: 18, Won: 0

* Lok Sabha seats contested: 1 (Nellore), Won: 0

* Highest votes: Prathipadu (SC) 78,0961

* Lowest votes: Ramachandrapuram 6,256

* Second position: 10 constituencies (Payakaraopeta, Polvaram (ST), Prathipadu (SC), Macherla, Ongole, Udayagiri, Rayachoti, Yemmiganur, Rayadurg and Anantapur Urban)

* Lost deposits: Allagadda, Koduru, Narsapuram, Ramachandrapuram, Rajampet Nellore LS seat