Constituency wise 1996 and 1998 results show BJP's real strength.

Constituency: Karimnagar

NTR(TDP) got 107263(Votes) While BJP got 53733 in 1996 elections.

NTRTDP + BJP got 3,00,000 change votes in 1998.

Without NTR TDP BJP would have lost this seat.

1/4

Constituency: Rajahmundry

NTR(TDP) got 122699(Votes) While BJP got 10772 in 1996 elections.

NTRTDP + BJP won this seat in 1998 elections.

BJP lost deposit in 1996 and now please judge what would have happened if BJP did not align with NTR TDP.

2/4

Constituency: Narsapur

NTRTDP(LP) got 1,00,7000 votes while BJP did not get deposits there. It only got 3964 votes.

NTRTDP + BJP won in 1998.

Now think about how BJP might have won that seat when it lost deposit in 1996. 3/4

Constituency: Kakinada

NTR(TDP) got 122149(Votes) While BJP got 12751 in 1996 elections.

NTRTDP + BJP won this seat in 1998 elections.

This is the sad reality of BJP :).