Telugu Vijayam was brimming with enthusiasm and new found vigour as the Telugu Desam Party’s grand conclave ‘Mahanadu’ got off to a start at the venue here on Monday. If it was party supremo Chandrababu Naidu’s recent over-3,000 km ‘Vastunna Meekosam Padayatra’ across the state that filled them with confidence, it was the sons of senior party leaders who electrified the place by making their presence felt.
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s son Lokesh was the cynosure of all eyes during the first day of Mahanadu. The political heir of Naidu was seen actively chatting with party second-rung leaders, who attended the conclave from across the state. This development drops enough hints over the role to be played by Naidu’s son in the TDP in the coming days. Apart from Lokesh, the political heirs apparent of party seniors T Devender Goud, Karanam Balarama Krishna Murthy, Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy and Ch Ayyanna Pathrudu added a breath of freshness to the proceedings.
K Rammohan Naidu and Paritala Sri Ram, sons of the late K Yerran Naidu and late Paritala Ravindra were also present at the meeting indicating that these youngsters are going to stepping into their fathers’ shoes soon.
However, party’s star campaigner during 2009 polls Jr NTR gave a miss to the TDP’s organisational fete. The actor, who has been maintaining distance from the party leadership since his close aide Kodali Sri Venkateswara Rao had crossed over to the YSRC, is said to have preferred to attend a film shoot abroad.
However, Jr NTR’s father Harikrishna was present till the end of the day’s programme but largely remained a mute spectator. Harikrishna is said to be not happy the way Lokesh is being promoted in the party.
On the other hand, Harikrishna’s brother and actor Balakrishna entertained the party rank and file with his pep talk. But he left the venue within 15 minutes of his arrival, citing personal work.
Addressing partymen, Chandrababu Naidu expressed confidence that the party would win the ensuing general elections hands down amidst slogans of “TDP Zindabad”, “NTR Amar Rahe” and “Naidu will be CM after 2014”.