The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has announced its decision to refrain from contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, a senior leader confirmed on Tuesday. Additionally, the party is also yet to decide on the party to support in the state. Currently, TDP is set to face both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh as a part of NDA in May 2024.
On the comeback in Telangana, TDP spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagari said the party will contest the local body polls and resume its political innings in the state. The local body elections are likely to be conducted in June or July this year.
"Though we are part of the NDA, we are not contesting the Lok Sabha polls in Telangana.The decision on whom to support in the upcoming polls in Telangana will be taken by the party’s senior leadership. As of now, there is no instruction on that," she told PTI.
The last few years have been a tough phase for TDP and the scenario worsened after the arrest of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu in graft case by Andhra Pradesh police.
Earlier, due to the arrest of TDP chief, the party did not contest the Assembly Elections in Telangana on November 30, 2023. As a result, the then TDP Telangana president Ksanai Gnaneswar quit the party and switched to former Chief Minister KCR's BRS.
After the switch of Ksanai Gnaneswar, TDP is yet to strengthen the party in Telangana.
"Appointing a president to the Telangana unit of the party will be decided in Mahanadu (the TDP's annual conclave)," the TDP leader said, as per the report.
In 2018 Telangana Assembly Elections, TDP secured two seats and polled 3.51 per cent of the votes. The party was in an alliance with Congress and CPI.