Modi wave did us in: Ponnala

Hyderabad: The TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah accepted his moral responsibility for the losing elections in Telangana. He attributed the defeat to the Modi wave created at the national level. Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan soon after the election results were announced, he acknowledged that there was anti-incumbency amongst the people of Telangana. He said, the TRS and TDP were able to cash in on the anti-incumbency factor. He asked the party cadre not to get depressed by the results, but felt that there was need to ponder on the party’s performance.

Laxmaiah regretted the party was not able form the government in the new State and to transform this into ‘Bangaru Telangana’. However, he maintained that the Congress would be ready to play active role in the reconstruction of the State. “We shall play a proactive role and stand for the people’s aspirations”, he said.

Responding to questions, he said that the State unit would come with detailed report on the party’s defeat and discuss it with the High Command. On the question of his resignation, he said that it was for the High Command to decide. He said that the party leaders would not get depressed and while standing up for the values they would take up responsibilities. According to him, even though the party was defeated this time, it would not compromise on the national vision. He said that the party would rise again. Such things do keep happening in politics, he said. Laxmaiah pointed out that the results clearly show that the Congress did not bifurcate the State for political gains. However, he felt that the party was not able to encash the Telangana sentiment.