TDP defends alliance with Congress for Telangana polls
Dismissing TRS criticism that the TDP was an Andhra party, Telangana unit of the party has said it was founded by late N T Rama Rao in the city in the heart of Telangana The TDP has allied with the Congress, CPI and TJS to form a grand alliance for the December 7 Assembly polls in Telangana
​Hyderabad: Dismissing TRS criticism that the TDP was an ‘Andhra party’, Telangana unit of the party has said it was founded by late N T Rama Rao in the city in the heart of Telangana. The TDP has allied with the Congress, CPI and TJS to form a "grand alliance" for the December 7 Assembly polls in Telangana.
"Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was formed in the heart of Telangana by late NT Rama Rao. Soon after its formation, changes have come in political arena. Through the TDP, many sections have found their way into Assembly and Parliament. Got (their) share in governance," TDP's Telangana unit president L Ramana said.
Asserting that the TDP had ushered in welfare and development, benefiting the poor, Ramana said it has found a place in the hearts of the poor in Telangana as a party that belongs to them. People feel that a rise in the living standards and a boost to welfare and development is possible with the TDP, he added.
Asked about TRS criticism against the TDP for allying with the Congress as NT Rama Rao had formed the party on anti-Congress plank, Ramana said there has been a change in the policies and ideology of the Congress and also in circumstances since the TDP was formed (in 1982).
Alleging that the TRS has led an even more undemocratic rule in Telangana (than the Congress did when TDP was formed) and ignored the poor, he said the TDP, Congress, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti have come together to defeat the "family rule" of the TRS.
"The aim of the alliance is to work from a people's angle, to realise the aspirations of martyrs (those who sacrificed life in support of separate Telangana)," Ramana said.
Though the TDP is in opposition in Telangana for the third time, it is still strong on the back of its cadre strength (with substantial membership), he claimed. "We have (party) committees up to village level. It is only TDP in the state which has such strong (network).
In the interest of development and seeking a democratic rule in Telangana, we have gone for grand alliance. We will strive for victory and (I have) confidence that (grand alliance) government will come," he added.
The TDP won 15 Assembly segments (out of 119) and a Lok Sabha seat in Telangana in the 2014 elections. However, 12 out of the 15 MLAs switched over to the TRS which has considerably weakened the party. TDP maintains that its core strength of workers remained intact though leaders have deserted the party.
Asked if the alliance of opposition parties would extend to Lok Sabha election as well, he said the parties have decided to move ahead with coordination and in a spirit of give and take, hoping that the spirit would continue among them.
