Naidu's bid to revive lost ground in TS draws flak

Naidu, who is the Leader of Opposition in AP Assembly, expressed confidence that the party will get its past glory in Telangana. The TDP supremo was happy at the mammoth gathering for his meeting, majority of them are youth, and said that this is a clear indication of the people's good will for the party

Vijayawada: Telugu Desam Party's attempts to revive its lost base in Telangana has been criticised strongly by the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leaders, who term it as a ploy to come close to Bharatiya Janata Party.

Stating that it is curtains down for the yellow brigade after the TDP's debacle post alliance with the Congress in Telangana and its double-speak before bifurcation on carving out of separate State for Telangana, BRS leaders said that following loss of ground in Andhra Pradesh after serving as Chief Minister of the State during 2014-19, Naidu is desperate to align with the BJP. They said Naidu lost credibility after his involvement in the 'note for vote' scam and alliance with the Congress following which his party has been deserted by all the leaders and cadres.

BRS Ministers T Harish Rao, Puvvada Ajay Kumar and MLA K Kavita found fault with Naidu for his call for 'home-coming' to former leaders of TDP to revive the fortunes of the party formed by legendary actor late NTR in 1982.

Addressing a huge roadshow at Khammam on Wednesday, Naidu said the future of Telangana people is safe if TDP formed the government by dislodging the 'corrupt' government led by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. He asked all those who left TDP to come back to the party to strengthen the party after indicating that elections could be advanced by BRS. He also described as ridiculous the statements by YSRCP leader Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy on unification of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu, who is the Leader of Opposition in AP Assembly, expressed confidence that the party will get its past glory in Telangana. The TDP supremo was happy at the mammoth gathering for his meeting, majority of them are youth, and said that this is a clear indication of the people's good will for the party.

TDP Telangana unit president K Gnaneswar and former MP Ravula Chandrasekhar attended the roadshow. Making it clear that he never craved for power but always wanted to be closer to the people seeking their affection, Naidu said that it is the TDP that introduced several welfare measures for various sections of society.

Naidu said that he always worked with a vision of keeping the better future of the people of the two Telugu-speaking States. Listing out the developmental works that he initiated in Hyderabad, other parts of the two Telugu States, he said that how hard work put up by him has begun yielding tremendous results.

"I have struggled to make Hyderabad as an IT corridor only with a view that the youth should get better employment thus earning more. Now, you all know the reality of how the youth in Telugu States get jobs not only in the country but across the globe," he said.

Stating that it is the TDP that encouraged the BCs to come into politics, he said that the founder of the party, the late NTR was solely responsible for several persons joining politics who are now most renowned leaders in the Telugu States. "It was the NTR, who introduced several welfare measures like the Rs 2 a kg rice, subsidised power supply and housing for the poor, for the uplift of the downtrodden sections of society which helped them grow well," Naidu said.