Hyderabad, Oct 03: Describing his survival in Wednesday's naxalite attack as `God's gift', Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said he has received a `new lease of life' and would dedicate it to the people.
"It's a new lease of life and at Tirupati I had a providential escape which I can only attribute it to God's grace," he told a select gathering of reporters at his Jubilee Hills residence here.

This is Naidu's first interaction with media after the bid on his life at Tirupati on October 1.

Speaking in a low voice from the main hall in the residence, which is normally used to receive close relatives and friends, Naidu said, "I will dedicate by rebirth to the people who prayed for me and wished my speedy recovery."
Clad in a 'dhoti' and cream coloured shirt with his injured left hand in a sling, Naidu briefly recalled the incident in bits and pieces saying that he did not remember much nor did he understand what happened at that time.

Without taking any questions, Naidu reiterated that he survived because of god's grace and the new lease of life will be dedicated to the people of the state.

Naidu's day began with a panel of doctors examining him followed by brief meetings with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, President A P J Abdul Kalam, a meeting with his cabinet colleagues and interaction with media.

Bureau Report