All set for Mahanadu

• First meet after bifurcation of AP
• Will have separate sessions for AP, TS

Hyderabad: The Telugu Desam party’s first Mahanadu (biennial convention) after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh which would be held for three days from Wednesday is set to create a new milestone in the history of the party as an important political resolution elevating the regional party to a national party would be passed. The Mahanadu will also focus on strengthening the organisation in Telangana apart from putting on record the manner in which AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu fulfilled poll promises despite financial crunch in the post bifurcation scenario.

The Mahanadu this year is also going to be different from the previous ones and is being organised on a much larger scale at NTR memorial school grounds in Gandipet. Though the party first wanted to hold the Mahanadu at Amravati since it is going to be the new capital of AP, Naidu decided to hold it in Hyderabad following the request of TTDP leaders.

In tune with the party’s two pronged policy, the entrance at the venue will have two welcome arches. While one would depict the glory and culture of Kakatiya rule, the other gate would depict Amravati and its greatness. Leaders from Andhra and Telangana units have been working tirelessly to make the event a gala affair and were camping at the venue supervising the arrangements.

For the first time the Mahanadu would be divided into two sessions, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. While the need to galvanise the party rank and file in Telangana in the wake of the attempts by ruling TRS to wean away TDP leaders would be accorded priority at the three-day conclave, especially with the crucial elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to be held soon, in the AP session, it would discuss the contentious issues – granting special status to AP as promised by the previous Congress-led UPA government, national status to Polavaram, Pranahita and Chevella projects and construction of new capital city for AP. In all, the party proposes to introduce 34 resolutions –21 for AP and 13 for Telangana. The party would also discuss the promises made by the ruling TRS before the election and how it had failed to implement them.

As part of the revival of the party in Telangana, separate arrangements have been made to highlight Telangana culture. Making a difference, the party chief and other senior leaders would be welcomed on the dais at the meeting venue with Bathukamma and Bonalu (both Telangana traditions) along with Purnakumbham (AP‘s traditional practice).

Telangana and Rayalaseema cuisine have been included in the menu which generally prescribed only dishes from Andhra cuisine in the previous meeting. Specialities like putarekulu and kaja from Tapeswaram in Andhra and other special varieties like sakilalu from Telangana will be served for about 40,000 delegates, which would mark another first in terms of numbers. Party leaders said that the elevation of Chandrababu Naidu’s son and party Workers’ Welfare Fund Coordinator N Lokesh as party General Secretary and the appointment of new president for Telangana and AP TDP units is also on the cards.