Naidu warrants better programmes in Andhra

quot;All these years we were under the impression that performance would never fetch votes. But, our victory has proved this wrong. In fact, my victory is going to be eye an opener to the political parties in other states too. It is a pilot project for me too,quot; he said.

Naidu said that a combination of factors had played a role in his decisive victory in both the Assembly as well as in the Lok Sabha. quot;Along with BJP, we could get 194 Assembly seats and 36 Lok Sabha seats. This is an unprecedented victory for us,quot; he said.

According to him, the massive support from women, youth, weaker sections including SC/STs and minorities had ensured almost two thirds majority to the TDP-BJP combine in the State. quot;Farmers did not yield to the bait of free power slogan of Congress,quot; he pointed out.

Naidu admitted that TDP8217;s alliance with BJP had worked well, contrary to the doubts expressed by some people. quot;The results show that the alliance had benefitted both of us and our cadre too had worked hard collectively,quot; he said.

Naidu also claimed credit for his experiment of seeking the blessings of those who had not been associated with any political party so far. He cited the impressive victory of former CBI director K Vijayarama Rao who trounced Congress Legislature Party leader P Jandardhan Reddy in Khairatabad.

quot;No one, including some of my ministers, believed me in the beginning. But, see the results, how he has made it,quot; he said. The decision to field a journalist from Anantapur Lok Sabha constituency too yielded results, he pointed out.

However, Naidu admitted that the winning margins of TDP candidates in most of the constituencies were slender and far below the expectations. quot;Yes, there is a decline in our vote share this time. We will do an introspection to find out the reasons for it,quot; he said.

When asked about the TDP8217;s poor performance in his native Chittoor district, Naidu said that the local factors too played a role in the outcome. quot;I agree that we had done well in some districts and badly in others. Let us see what went wrong and where,quot; he said.

Saying that he was not interested in blaming any party at this juncture, the chief minister, however, alleged that the Congress had indulged in using money and muscle power in the elections. quot;But, the people have rejected them,quot; he said.

The chief minister refused to reveal his mind on the Cabinet formation. When asked about the nature of his next Cabinet, he said: quot;It is too early to say anything on it now. I will let you know the details as and when it is necessaryquot;.