Setting in motion the process for turning the Telugu Desam Party into a national party, the three-day Mahanadu began here on Wednesday with a call by TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to expand the organisation’s presence to other States and the meeting moving a resolution to form a central committee by amending party’s byelaws.
Addressing the delegates at the inaugural session, he said there was a need to expand the party to as many States as possible and a detailed discussion was needed at Mahanadu with regard to the symbol and other aspects. Recalling the pivotal role played by TDP at the national level in the formation of non-Congress governments at the Centre when the party was led by former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, he said that winning seats in other States would enable the TDP to gain recognition as a national party.
Later a resolution was moved to form a central committee and replace the words ‘Telugu Nadu’ with ‘Bharath Desam’ in the byelaws.
‘Unique party’
Observing that TDP was unique when compared to other parties and was playing three roles — ruling party in Andhra Pradesh, opposition in Telangana and sharing power in the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, where it was always seeking justice for both A.P. and Telangana States.
Referring to Kakatiya and Amaravathi arches erected on either side of the dais, Mr. Naidu said Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were like two eyes for him.
Stating that the TDP set the trend for other parties, he said the Rs. 2-a-kg rice introduced in 1983 by the then Chief Minister N T Rama Rao was a food security measure. He also initiated other reforms including introduction of mandal system.
Accusing the Congress of ruining the State during the 10-year rule since 2004, he said 24,000 farmers committed suicide in the united State during that period.
