TDP throws down the gauntlet to TRS

KCR castigated for ‘undemocratic and family rule’

• Hyd venue chosen for Mananadu with an eye on GHMC polls
• TDP dares TRS to hold Hyderabad civic polls immediately
• Announces its goal of coming to power in TS in 2019
• Resolution at Mahanadu to become a national party
• TDP leaders vie to shower encomiums on Nara Lokesh

Hyderabad: The 34th Mahanadu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a historical one in the sense that it has now set its sights on becoming a national party. The meeting has also decided to rejuvenate the party in Telangana. It has thrown a challenge to the ruling TRS party and said it is ready for a long-drawn battle to come to power in 2019.

The tone and tenor of the topics on which several resolutions have been adopted during the three-day event clearly reflect the party’s strategy and send out a clear message to the party cadres in Telangana. Of the 25 resolutions adopted during the Mahanadu, in a strategic move the party seems to have juxtaposed the welfare schemes and other development works being taken up by its government in Andhra Pradesh vis-a-vis those grounded by the TRS-led government in Telangana during the last one year.

There were two key important resolutions adopted at the Mahanadu. One paved the way for the party to become a national political party and electing TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu as its first national president. The other demanded special status for Andhra Pradesh. It was adopted at the eleventh hour, though.

Speakers from Telangana mounted bitter criticism against the TRS, drawing parallels between the governments in the two Telugu States. Citing successful implementation of membership drive and rollout of accidental insurance scheme for party workers, the leaders also did not miss an opportunity to shower praises on the party chief’s son and Party Workers Welfare Fund Coordinator Nara Lokesh.

Lokesh also took a dig at the TRS, saying “a party in Telangana tried to introduce the accidental insurance like TDP. But, it could not achieve its target so far.” In respect of Andhra Pradesh, the Mahanadu disucssed the “Empowerment of Farmers and Profitable Agriculture.” Speakers mounted an attack on the Congress and the YSRCP. Naidu also thundered, saying that he would not be cowed down by the vitriolic attack against him by a decimated party (Congress) and YSRCP.

He said the Congress which had failed to prove their allegations against him during its 10-year rule had no right to criticise him. Naidu asserted that during his long political career spanning over three decades, he had done no wrong and hence was not scared of them.

He said 25 years ago, he had started a small business and it was later taken over by his wife who had successfully converted it into a big industry and he was proud about the disciplined manner in which his family had been conducting the business. Emphasising the need for completing Pattiseema and Polavaram projects, he said he was determined to go ahead, irrespective of the obstacles created by opposition parties which have no other work.

A resolution on new state capital Amaravathi, too, witnessed fiery statements by the TDP top brass that it was the TDP which had developed the Cyberabad and showcased Hyderabad as an attractive global investment destination. And the present TRS government had been dependent on the revenues being generated due to the efforts put forth by TDP.

Winding up the Mahanadu, Naidu gave a call to the rank and file to expose the TRS government on issues like distribution of land to the poor and housing for the weaker sections in Telangana. The TRS-led government was also taken to task for being undemocratic and for its “family-run rule.” The TDP also mounted a direct and vitriolic attack on TRS government, challenging it to conduct elections for GHMC early. This gave away the prime reason for holding the Mahanadu in Hyderabad, despite several quarters opposing it and demanding the meet elsewhere in Andhra Pradesh.

By:VRC Phaniharan