TDP’s three-day annual general body meeting ‘Mahanadu’ on Friday got off to a colourful start at ‘Telugu Vijayam’ in Gandipet near here with its chief N. Chandrababu Naidu unfurling the party flag and paying tributes to founder-president N.T. Rama Rao.
As many as 15,000 delegates from all the 23 districts of the state are attending the annual event in which the party will take up discussion on 14 major issues like farmers’ problems, price rise, anti—people policies of the state and the Centre and corruption.
It will also pass resolutions on these subjects, besides a political resolution that will chart the party’s course for the future.
The contentious Telangana statehood issue is also likely to come up for discussion though indications are that the party may not pass a resolution on it.
On the occasion, Mr. Chandrababu inaugurated a blood donation camp and a photo-exhibition depicting the party’s glorious 29-year-old journey, out of which it ruled Andhra Pradesh for 16 years.
It is a test of times for TDP supremo and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as he is unable to regain confidence of people on one hand and steer the party out of the crisis on the other.
“Credibility crisis” is the biggest that the TDP is currently facing while internal strife is threatening to enlarge the cracks in the party that has been out of power for seven years now.
There are reports that a power struggle is on right at the top with the clan of TDP founder-president N T Rama Rao trying to take over reigns while Naidu is said to be tacitly promoting his son Lokesh Babu as his political heir.
Lokesh has never been active in politics so far and looks after the family businesses.
Many in the party prefer NTR’s grandson and popular Telugu hero NTR junior taking over reigns to invigorate the TDP. NTR Junior is son of Chandrababu’s brother-in-law and MP Nandamuri Harikrishna.
While these are the internal issues, externally the TDP is now facing a fresh challenge from the YSR Congress Party of Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
While the fledgling Praja Rajyam Party proved the TDP’s nemesis in 2009 elections, Jagan could pose a similar threat in the next elections.
