Unlike in 1998, when it was a triangular contest in many constituencies, Andhra Pradesh will mostly see straight fights in many areas with the TDP-BJP striking an alliance. Given the fact, the sizeable minority vote in the state would play a decisive role in most parts of the state this time.Not surprisingly then, holding forth to a 40,000-strong audience comprising farm labours, women and minority communities, Sonia Gandhi played the minority card to bring them into the mainstream.

The 1998 elections saw Jaipal Reddy, then with Janata Dal, making to the Lok Sabha with the help of TDP and the minority vote, estimated 20 per cent of the total, though BJP candidate AP Jithender Reddy surprised polling 28 per cent of the vote.

However,with TDP leaving the seat to BJP, the contest is more or less even with Congress candidate M Mallikarjun standing a fair chance if the minority vote swings in his favour. Asking the people to shun opportunisitic politicians, Sonia Gandhi promised to bring back Indiramma's rule and make sure people did not have to go far in search of work and that pending irrigation works like the Tungabhadra and Krishna would be expedited.