The Congress high command is understood to have come to the conclusion that it is extremely difficult to come to power for the third consecutive time in the state in 2014.

According to reports from New Delhi, the party leadership is not interested in wining the state assembly polls in 2014, but would focus on winning as many MP seats as possible so that the UPA would retain power at the Centre.

“The mood in the Congress party is it did not mind losing the battle to YSR Congress party in the state, as it is content with its 10-year rule. It has realized that the people are not happy with the state government and hence, there is no point in struggling to get the power for the third time,” a party source said.

However, the party leadership is keen that it should win at least 15-20 MP seats from the state. In any case, YSR Congress party which might win another 15-20 seats would be compelled to extend support to the UPA. And that is enough to elevate Rahul Gandhi as the prime minister after 2014.

“If all goes well, the Congress can bounce back to power in the state in 2019,” the party source said.