VIJAYAWADA: TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said the very emergence of Telugu Desam is a big sensation in Indian politics, and that the party had taken birth only to uphold the self-respect of the entire Telugu community.
Exuding confidence that the TDP will remain as long as the Telugu community exists, Naidu said, “We are all heirs of the party but not leaders. Several parties have come and gone, but the TDP has stood out because we function in a totally different manner from other parties. If anyone pens the history of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, the entire focus will be pre and post formation of the TDP".
Addressing the TDP rank and file on the occasion of the 43rd Formation Day at the party headquarters on Saturday, Naidu said the party had overcome several challenges only because of the staunch support of the cadre. Those who vowed to eliminate the TDP had disappeared into oblivion, he observed.
In the entire world, it is only the TDP that has got the whole credit of coming to power within nine months of the formation, Naidu said and recalled that the former Chief Minister announced the formation of the party in Hyderabad after closely observing the political situation in Andhra Pradesh then.
Maintaining that the TDP is not a regional party, Naidu mentioned how it played a crucial role at the national level when the National Front was in power.
Naidu highlights TDP’s efforts in rebuilding of AP
It was NTR who actually formed the United Front, he said and added that the TDP played a pivotal role during NDA 1.0 and NDA 2.0. It is only the TDP that got recognition in Parliament as the main Opposition, he highlighted.
Naidu said the TDP, BJP and Jana Sena came together only to save the beleaguered Andhra Pradesh and to rebuild the State. The alliance achieved 93% strike rate in the general elections. Both the people and the cadre reposed a lot of faith in the TDP, Naidu said, and felt that if welfare is provided by raising loans, it cannot be continued for long. The previous YSRCP regime left the State in Rs 9.74 lakh crore debt, ruining the economy totally, he said.
Highlighting the welfare and development activities being taken up by the coalition government, the Chief Minister said Annadata Sukhibhava and Thalliki Vandanam schemes will be launched in April and May. Also, Rs 20,000 each will be extended as financial assistance for fishermen. The works Amaravati and the Polavaram Project have been expedited. While on the one hand welfare and development are taken up, and on the other hand the State government is getting investments in a big way, he said.
Naidu is all set to launch the P4 (Public Private People Partnership) programme to eradicate poverty in the society on the occasion of Telugu New Year Ugadi on Sunday.