YSR secures Congress victory in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's magic worked again in Andhra Pradesh as Congress retained power with a simple majority.

Facing a united opposition alliance and the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) of superstar Chiranjeevi, YSR emerged victorious and achieved the distinction of being the only Congress leader to lead the party to a second consecutive term in the state after 1982.

Three days after becoming the first chief minister in the state's history to complete full five years in office, YSR surprised all by leading the party to power despite the glamour of Chiranjeevi and the free television and cash transfer scheme promises of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP)

With the party crossing the magic figure of 148 on its own, it does not need any party's support to form the government. The Congress bagged 155 seats as results of 291 out of 294 assembly seats were announced by 5pm.

The TDP-led four-party alliance won 104 seats. Improving its position, the TDP won 89 seats while Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) had a disastrous performance winning only 10 seats. The Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), the other constituents of the alliance, together won five seats.

The PRP, which made its electoral debut, bagged 18 seats, far below its expectations. Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) got six seats while others, including independents, were elected won 13.

Despite the defeat of nearly a dozen ministers, state Congress chief D. Srinivas and speaker K. R.Suresh Reddy, YSR proved that there was no anti-incumbency against the government.

Unlike the main opposition TDP, which promised free colour television and cash doles to the poor, the Congress party sought vote on the welfare and development works taken by it during last five years.