HYDERABAD: With some senior leaders openly questioning his working style at the party’s ‘Mini Mahanadus, TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu seems to be entertaining second thoughts on the much-awaited elevation of his son Lokesh at the party’s annual conclave Mahanadu later this month.
It is reliably learnt that the TDP leadership has decided to defer announcing a ‘bigger role’ to Lokesh in the party to a later date. “Lokesh will be given a key post in the party not during the Mahanadu but, after that. Our party chief doesn’t want to delegate crucial responsibilities to his son at the party’s mega event as it might cause heartburn among some seniors,” a senior TDP leader, close to Naidu’s family, told Express.
According to sources, the TDP’s three-day annual conclave scheduled to begin on May 27 will be a ‘routine affair’ this time too. However, enthusiastic party cadre are gearing up to demand anointment of Lokesh at Mahanadu itself - in fact, the ongoing Mini Mahanadus across AP are adopting resolutions demanding promotion for Lokesh.
As far the Mahanadu is concerned, the TDP is likely to make a few key organisational changes. Sources said a central committee will be set up under the chairmanship of Naidu, which will be the highest decision-making body of the party, to supervise AP and Telangana units of the party. The party leadership will also use the Mahanadu to harp on transforming the TDP into a national party as part of its desperate bid to keep its flock together in Telangana.
It has already set up a panel under the leadership of Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu to study Constitutional measures needed for converting the TDP into a national party.
The Mahanadu will be held at Gandipet on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Though the TDP leadership at first had wanted to hold the conclave in the new capital of AP, Amaravathi, it later decided to organise the meeting in Hyderabad to rejuvenate the party cadre ahead of the elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.
Two eyes theory at centrestage
The TDP leadership has decided to design the Mahanadu stage in such a manner as to reflect the rich cultures of both Telangana and AP. For instance, the image of the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam will be at one corner and a picture of the Amaravathi Stupa at the other. Similarly, around 30 dishes from both Telangana and AP will be served to the delegates at the conclave.