The Jagan-KCR-Modi combination appeared stronger initially. The massive misuse of IT, CBI, ED and the Election Commission of India raised doubts whether Chandrababu Naidu could withstand this challenge. Unlimited manipulation of the election machinery by the Prashant Kishor teams really shook the morale of TDP sympathisers. Naidu had to repeatedly motivate and create confidence in the party leaders and activists. Jaganmohan Reddy and his party were confident of their planned surgical strikes to get an edge over the TDP.

All of a sudden, the polling day presented a dramatically different scenario. Chandrababu Naidu started dominating the polling day all through. In the first hour itself, Naidu began his counter surgical strike by complaining to the Election Commission about the malfunctioning EVMs and undue delay in polling process. By afternoon, Naidu made repeated appeals to the voters to come back to polling stations and cast their votes without fail to save AP and protect democracy. The voters especially women and the aged persons responded enthusiastically. The DWCRA groups and other women beneficiaries gave undoubted support to TDP. The rivals were apparently not prepared to face Naidu’s counter strikes. All their violence and last minute desperate plans fell flat.