It's people's victory, says Jagan's mother

Hyderabad, June 15 (IANS) YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) honorary president Y.S. Vijayamma described the party's victory in the Andhra Pradesh by-elections as "people's victory".

"We got justice in the people's court and I thank people for this," she told reporters after meeting her son Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy in Chanchalguda Central Jail.

She said people had rejected both the Congress and TDP who colluded to send Jagan to jail to keep him away from campaigning.

The widow of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said the poll results showed the popularity of YSRCP and Jagan.

"The rule of Rajanna (YSR) will come back in 2014," said Jagan's sister Sharmila, referring to her father who died in a helicopter crash in 2009.

YSRCP demanded that the Congress seek a fresh mandate as the verdict had clearly indicated the will of the people.

"YSRCP is party of the future as both the Congress and TDP were rejected in the people's court despite the misuse of money power and muscle power. Though the two parties worked in tandem, their candidates lost deposits at many places," said party's spokesman Ambati Rambabu.

"Though it is unfortunate that our leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy is not between us at this happy hour, we will continue to take forward the ideals of YSR and the people's verdict reflects that people are with Jagan," said another party spokesperson, Vasireddy Padma.

YSRCP bagged the Nellore Lok Sabha seat and 15 out of the 18 assembly seats, by-elections for which were held Tuesday.