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Hyderabad: A minister in Andhra Pradesh's Congress government is so confident of his party retaining power in the next year's state assembly elections that he has even bet his life on it.
Minister for Forests S. Vijayramaraju says he is sure Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy will become the chief minister for a second term. He has declared that he would shoot himself if this did not happen.
He was addressing a meeting of farmers at Sitanagaram in Srikakulam district of north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
CPI advice
The minister's shocking statement came as the ruling party is gearing up for the assembly elections due to be held in March-April next year.
The main opposition Telugu Desam Party is trying to regain power while the Praja Rajyam Party floated recently by actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi is claiming to become an alternative to the Congress party.
Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary K. Narayana has advised the minister to withdraw his challenge.
"There is no question of the Congress retaining power in the coming elections. It is better if the minister withdraws his challenge," said Narayana, whose party along with CPM is likely to have an alliance with the TDP in the coming elections.
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