TDP will better 1999 performance: Naidu

Telugu Desam party (TDP) supremo N Chandrababu Naidu yesterday claimed that his party would in this election fare much better than the 1999 elections.

Addressing the media, he accused the Congress of adopting unethical methods in campaign and fielding candidates with money power. "While we have conducted a positive campaign for the victory of our candidates, the Congress has totally depended on false propaganda against the TDP," Naidu said.

He also accused the Congress party of commercialising politics by fielding candidates who have no background of social service on the basis of their money power.

He favoured a debate on the need for political reforms against such trends.

Naidu said that the people of Andhra Pradesh did not believe the 'free' promises made by the Congress party either. "Y S Rajasekhar Reddy has promised to complete all the 63 pending irrigation projects within three to five years but it would require at least Rs 54,000 crore to complete these projects. Where would they get that much of money," he questioned.

Criticising the Congress-TRS alliance, Naidu said that the Congress had not clarified its stand on the issue of an united Andhra Pradesh and on the issue of naxalites, despite his repeated pleas.