This Article is From May 16, 2009

Cong storms back to power in Andhra Pradesh

Cong storms back to power in Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad:

Blunting anti-incumbency and stiff challenge from a united Telugu Desam-led combined opposition and megastar Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam, Congress, led by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, on Saturday stormed back to power in Andhra Pradesh with comfortable victory in assembly poll.

In the 294-strong assembly, Congress won 89 seats and led in 68 more, virtually assured of surpassing the majority of 148.

Congress victory is comprehensive and spread all over the state, including in Telangana where it was expected to fare badly in the wake of its failure to carve out a separate state out of Andhra Pradesh.

However, several ministers lost in Telangana region.

Congress did well in coastal districts too where it was expected to suffer a setback due to Chiranjeevi's political foray as he belongs to coastal region.

Chiranjeevi, whose political and electoral debut had generated hype, failed to do an NTR act and had to settle for 15 seats and was poised to bag 18 more.

Telugu Desam Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who virtually promised the moon to the electorate, should be the most disappointed man as his party not only failed to regain power but had to be content with 50 seats.

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