Andhra Pradesh gave a clear verdict allowing incumbent YS Rajasekhara Reddy to rule the state for another five years.
As the results poured in, showing the Congress cross the magic figure of 148 seats (and touching 156) required to form the government in the 294-member assembly, there was jubilation time for the Congress.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) got 90 seats while its allies, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) won 10 seats and the Left got five.
“The success can be attributed to YSR Reddy and his work. He is the single man army who made this victory possible for us,” said senior Congress leader K Rosaiah.
Reddy is credited with social and developmental work carried out under his leadership – old age pensions, irrigation projects and health insurance schemes for the poor.
Despite all the hype surrounding him from the time he launched his Praja Rajyam Party in August, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi was at rock bottom among the three contenders with just 18 seats.