Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader Y S Rajashekhar Reddy, who steered his party to victory in the Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh today (May 11, 2004), compared outgoing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to the proverbial "Nero", who played the fiddle when "Rome was burning."

Addressing a press conference, Reddy who is the front-runner for the becoming the State's next Chief Minister, charged Naidu with being apathetic to the plight of farmers, weaker sections and women.

Message Board

Do you think film stars and cricketers can make any impact in the ensuing elections? Post your views

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

Of the 4,000 farmers who committed suicide in the recent years in the country, 3,000 were from Andhra Pradesh, he said, charging Naidu with "closing his eyes" to their plight, which turned from bad to worse during his tenure.

In 1994 agriculture contributed 26 per cent to the State GDP, but in 2003-2004 its contribution had come down to 13 per cent of the GDP, Reddy said and charged Naidu with neglecting 95 per cent population of the State and only focussing on five per cent urban rich who became richer.

"This anti-incumbency on one side and faith in Congress leadership of Sonia Gandhi on the other led to the massive victory for the party," he said.