TDP makes moves to be national party

Hyderabad: As the appointed date for bifurcation of the state is fast approaching, the TDP is making quick moves to see that they get the status of a national party and expand its base beyond the two Telugu speaking states. Efforts are being made to complete the formalities to submit an application to the Central Election Commission in this regard. Once this process is over, TDP proposes to create Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka units as these states have sizeable Telugu speaking people. The TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu is likely to make this announcement at the annual Mahanadu to be held on May 27 and 28.

According to party vice president K Ramamohan Rao, TDP is planning to convert the party into a national party so that it can play a key role on the national political scenario in the coming days. The logic behind TDP leadership's decision to make an announcement to the effect at the ensuing Mahanadu is that it would instill confidence among the party leaders and cadres in Telangana and would give a boost to the party cadre in Telangana. This move is a first step towards its efforts to come to power in 2019, a party leader said.

TDP is also contemplating to field its candidates in the future elections in the neighbouring States where it will open the state units. The TDP has already has a branch in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where people from North Coastal Andhra live in large numbers. People from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts migrated to these islands in the 1950s in search of livelihood. The TDP had earlier contested the municipal elections of Port Blair town.