Flush from the success at the hustings, the broad objective of the Telugu Desam Party is now to transform into a national party from being a regional outfit.
This proposal will come up for discussion at the two-day ‘Mahanadu’, its annual conclave being held at “Telugu Vijayam” campus at Gandipet on city outskirts, beginning Tuesday, just a week before the official bifurcation of the State.
Over 20,000 delegates are expected to attend the meet that coincides with the birth anniversary of its founder N.T. Rama Rao on May 28. In the wake of the State’s division, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu will be elected as the head of its Andhra Pradesh unit, while a separate Telangana committee would be constituted during Mahanadu. Review of the party’s electoral success and its performance in local body elections would be among the important items on the agenda, besides the resolve to work towards a corruption-free country.
The electoral victory in the elections to the (new residuary State) Andhra Pradesh Assembly has come as a shot in the arm for a party. With 102 seats of 175-member Assembly, the party is all set to form the first Government in the residuary State with party president N. Chandrababu Naidu to become Chief Minister after taking oath on June 8.
Party seniors explained that with 15 Assembly seats in the Telangana region that would become the 29 State and a 14.5 per cent share of votes polled, the TDP would be a political force with a strong presence in both States. This among others was one of the main reasons for the party to be seeking to become a national party.
A polit bureau member who did not wish to be quoted said, “We will discuss the issue at the Mahanadu and then apply to the Election Commission of India seeking recognition as a national party. We have a party unit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. We are also exploring the options of expanding to the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka that boast of a sizeable Telugu population”.
Besides issues including strengthening of the party machinery, especially in Telangana, the party would also brainstorm on implementation of its election manifesto in AP and how to exert pressure on the Telangana Government to address people’s problems in the new State.
“Since the TDP will be joining the NDA government at the Centre, we will also discuss reforms aimed at ensuring good governance, sustainable development and elimination of poverty, with the ultimate objective of a poverty-free India,” party secretary T.D. Janardhan said.
