Date:12/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051207970400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Eluru

YSR's remark fuels mid-term poll talk

Staff Reporter

ELURU: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's rhetoric on Lok Sabha elections at a meeting of West Godavari District Congress Committee here on Thursday night fuelled speculations on the mid-term election to Parliament.

"I want to send a strong message to Soniaji (Congress president) through our party MP from Eluru Kavuri Sambhasiva Rao (who was by his side) that the Congress is capable of winning of not less than 40 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats from our State," he said.

Congress is `upbeat'

"The wind is blowing in favour of the Congress across the country which was vindicated in the Assembly elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu and even in Uttar Pradesh," he added.

Besides, the party had gained credibility in the public in the State in the last two years due to a slew of pro-active measures initiated by the State government to bail out farmers from crisis and uplift the poor, he said. "This is a clear indication for the party's bright prospects."