By-poll wins a mandate for TDP rule: Naidu

Referring to the discouraging results in the Lok Sabha elections two months ago, the chief minister said that the failure of United Front and the impact of A B Vajpayee had adversely affected the TDP’s prospects. “But, the bypolls reflect the people’s opinion on the State government,” he said.

Asked whether he was confident of winning the next Assembly elections even without the support of the Left allies, Naidu said: As long as we enjoy the people’s confidence nothing will affect us. Once we loose it, no alliance can save us.” Analysing the factors which contributed to the victoryof the TDP, he said that the hard work done by him and other party workers paid dividends. “I have toured all over the State even under a scorching sun during Janmabhoomi programme,” he said.

The chief minister denied the charge that the ruling party had spent huge sums of money in the byelections. “Money is not the criteria. If money alone can ensure victory, why should I and my party workers sweat it out in the hot sun?” he shot back. At the same time a large number of Congress leaders too concentrated on the bypolls this time, he pointed out.