TD failed to dent Congress chances: Jeevan Reddy

Exuding confidence that the Congress party would emerge victorious in the elections, Roads and Buildings Minister T Jeevan Reddy said YS Rajasekhara Reddy would again become the State Chief Minister and would take oath on May 18.

Talking to newsmen after attending an oath-taking ceremony by Congress MLCs here today, Jeevan Reddy said there would be no hung Assembly in spite of a triangular contest between the Congress, Maha Kootami (Grand Alliance) and the Praja Rajyam Party in the State.

The Telugu Desam Party- led Maha Kootami had `failed’ to dent the ruling party’s prospects in the second phase on April 23. The Congress had performed well in all three regions in the State, he said.

None believed TD’s poll promises like Cash Transfer Scheme, colour TVs and free rice as Chandrababu Naidu had failed to implement any of them during his party’s nine-year rule, he remarked.

Replying to a query, the minister said the Congress would get a minimum of 180 Assembly seats.

Meanwhile, government whip Mallu Ravi said, “The question of a BC member becoming the next chief minister does not arise.’’ He alleged that the opposition parties had `intentionally’ created a confusion among the people by raising such an issue. Rajasekhara Reddy would again become the chief minister, he added.