Chennai: Serious drought situation, certain amount of unhappiness among people, extremist problems and effective support for separate Telangana State were some of the issues that culminated in Congress party sweeping the polls to Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Venkaiah Naidu said in Chennai today (May 11, 2004).

Congress party's promises of free power and loan at cheaper rates had also contributed to the party's victory in the State, he told reporters at Meenambakkam airport on his way to Delhi.

Elections 2004-Where is India heading...
Political Parties in India

Pointing out that his party "respected" the mandate of the people, Naidu said, "We accept the verdict humbly and politely."

Naidu said after receiving the poll percentage and other particulars on the elections, his party would make a "comprehensive analysis".

The BJP leader said the exit polls would not "disturb" his party and the party would not take them seriously. He, however, was confident that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would bounce back to power at the Centre and Vajpayee would become Prime Minister.