Speaking at the two-day "mini-Mahanadu" at the Exhibition Grounds here, he explained the circumstances under which the TDP had bailed out the Vajpayee government during the confidence motion and its candidate, G M C Balayogi, was elected to the post of Lok Sabha Speaker.

Braving the scorching sun, the "mini-Mahanadu" was attended by around 4,000 delegates, who heard Naidu's 100-minute speech in rapt attention. The entire venue was decorated in yellow and the pictures of late N T Rama Rao and Naidu formed the backdrop of the dias.

Rejecting the contention of the United Front constituents that he had left it in search of greener pastures, the TDP president, on the other hand, blamed some of theUF partners and Left parties for the Front's split. "In fact they came closer to the Congress without consulting us," he alleged.

Asserting that anti-Congressism was the bedrock of the TDP, Naidu recalled how its founder-president late N T Rama Rao fought against the Congress all through his life. "NTR founded National Front in 1989 to bring anti-Congress forces together," he explained.

Underlining the compulsions to keep Congress out of power, Naidu said that the decision to field Balayogi for the Speaker's post was taken at the last minute. Otherwise, Congress would have usurped power from backdoor which was untenable to TDP, he said.

Acknowledging the impact of the TDP's close ties with the BJP on the State politics, the CM sought to drive home the point that there was no change in the party's ideology. However, he did not spell out whether the TDP would go it alone in the next Assembly elections. Despite expressing dissatisfaction over the results of the recent Lok Sabha elections, Naidu tried hisbest to enthuse the delegates by forecasting a "sure victory for the TDP in the next Assembly elections". "But, we have to work hard for it," he cautioned them.

Admitting that the next 18 months run up to the elections was ridden with challenges, Naidu expressed confidence that they could be met if the party cadre worked in a "disciplined" and "dedicated" manner. "We should not deviate from the path shown to us by our leader NTR," he said.

Recalling how NTR electrified the State politics 16 years ago by his "Telugu pride" slogan, Naidu said: "We have won the first part of the battle by achieving self-respect for the Telugu people. Now, it is time to instill self-confidence among them."

While claiming that he had not deviated from the path shown by NTR, he justified modifications made in some of the schemes launched by the late chief minister. He explained, "These modifications have become inevitable with the changing times."

At the same time, Naidu repulsed criticisms that he had shelved welfareschemes in preference to developmental projects. "I am following a middle path balancing development with welfare measures. Without development there will not be any funds for welfare schemes," he pointed out.

Similarly, Naidu refuted charges that he was according priority to Information Technology (IT) targeting the elite. He explained that the main beneficiary of the IT revolution would be the poor as it would eradicate corruption and ensure transparency in the administration.

He listed out schemes launched by his government in the last two and a half years for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes, minorities, women, youth, farmers, rural artisans and entrepreneurs. "Give me suggestions for the State's betterment," he urged the delegates.

FACTION-VIOLENCE: Expressing concern over the unabated faction-violence in Rayalaseema, Naidu said, faction-feuds was stalling progress in the backward region. "We have to deal with the issue sternly," he said.

Without referring to themurder of Y S Raja Reddy, father of PCC president Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, Naidu said leaders and workers from all parties including TDP had been killed in faction violence in the last few years.