Telangana Achieved Huge Progress Due To Foundation Laid By TDP, Says Chandrababu Naidu

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president expressed confidence that his party would regain its former glory in Telangana.

TDP Chief and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed confidence that his party would regain its former glory in Telangana. Speaking at the TDP's Telangana headquarters, Naidu, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, emphasised his belief in the party's resurgence. He called upon TDP leaders and workers to work diligently towards restoring the party as a major political force in Telangana. Naidu, who was Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh between 1995 and 2004, claimed that the state's significant progress and its emergence as the top state in the country were a result of the foundation laid by the TDP, citing examples such as Hitec City, Cyberabad, Airport, Metro, and Genome Valley.

"If you see Hitec City, Cyberabad, Airport, Metro and Genome Valley, the effort made by the TDP is clearly visible," he said.

The TDP president also commented on the economic improvement in Telangana after the state's bifurcation, stating that the subsequent chief ministers had not hindered development or resorted to destruction. In contrast, he criticised the situation in Andhra Pradesh, where he believed development had been halted and people's lives had been negatively affected.

"When it comes to Andhra Pradesh, there was destruction, development was stopped and people's lives thrown into darkness," he said exuding confidence that the TDP will return to power in Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu's visit to Hyderabad and his meeting with Telangana TDP leaders were considered significant, particularly following his meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national President J.P. Nadda in Delhi on June 3. These discussions took place amid speculation about the revival of the alliance between the TDP and BJP in the Telugu states.

Assembly elections in Telangana are scheduled towards the end of 2023, while elections to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year.

"I have no doubt that after these two elections, the TDP will emerge as the most powerful party of Telugus," said Naidu at the meeting in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

It is worth noting that the TDP had withdrawn from the BJP-led NDA in 2018 due to the issue of special category status for Andhra Pradesh. The party had contested the 2018 Assembly elections in alliance with the Congress and smaller parties but faced defeat. 

The TDP went alone in Andhra Pradesh but lost power to the YSR Congress Party. After the crushing defeat, Naidu softened his stand towards the BJP and is now keen to join hands with it in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.