HYDERABAD: In tune with its aspirations to grow into a national force, the TDP is considering an image makeover. The party leadership is planning a name change besides replacing its cycle symbol with another to acquire national appeal.
Indicating this at the party’s conclave Mahanadu that got off to a colourful start at Gandipet here Wednesday, party chief and AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the party’s name and symbol would be examined carefully in the process of transforming the party into a national entity.
He called upon his partymen to hold extensive discussions on this issue and said he wanted to expand the party to the maximum number of States which have a sizeable population of Telugus. “If we can ensure that our party has its presence in other States, we will have a greater influence at the national level. If we can win more seats in other States, where Telugu people live, we can play a key role in national politics,” Naidu said. “In order to ensure that there would be no hurdles for the party at the national level, we should work out details with regard to its name and symbol,” he opined. According to sources, as cycle already represents the Samajwadi Party at the national level, the TDP leadership wants to adopt a new symbol. Also under consideration is some prefix to the party name, such as ‘All India’.
Meanwhile, a resolution was introduced at Mahanadu to make changes to the party constitution to set up a central panel as well as State committees in AP and Telangana.
Spreading Wings
Naidu says he wants to expand party to the maximum number of States with a sizeable Telugu population
Recalls TDP’s earlier role in formation of non-Cong govts at the Centre
Hints at making minor changes to party name and replacing its cycle symbol with another one
Bid to Regain Lost Ground in TS
What is prompting the TDP to become a national party? After bifurcation of AP, the party is being branded as an ‘alien’ in Telangana, which was once its bastion, by its rival parties. Hence, Naidu wants to regain lost ground in the new State by transforming the TD into a national party. Moreover, in order to boost the sagging confidence levels among TDP leaders in Telangana, particularly against the TRS onslaught, ahead of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation polls, the TDP leadership wants to create an impression that the party is no longer a regional force.
cong releases scathing CD
A day after submitting a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer seeking de-recognition of the TDP for its alleged failure to fulfil its poll promises, the Congress on Wednesday released a CD, titled, ‘Adirindayya Chandram’, highlighting the failures of the Naidu government in its one-year rule.