TDP is not taking any chances to lose 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections
Even as he laid the foundation stone for the new national headquarters of the TDP at Atmakur near Mangalagiri in Guntur, at the auspicious moment — 5.17am on November 26 — national president N Chandrababu Naidu sensed that the future of the regional party lay in consolidating its strength in the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh. To achieve this, he has directed party leaders to focus on political reunification in the state. He has also suggested they should also concentrate on the assembly constituencies where the party was weak.
It’s the "Naidu manner of speaking" to gloss over, even if they cannot bury, group rivalry within the TDP to take on the challenge posed by the rival YSR Congress, with its leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy having set out on a six-month-long barnstorming padayatra in early November to enlist greater support for his party. Reddy is not missing any opportunity to run down the ruling TDP on his walkathon.
Naidu has listed a multi-point formula to be pursued by the TDP rank and file: strengthen the party at all levels; focus on garnering greater support in assembly constituencies where the party was not strong; work for political reunification by sinking differences; award party positions to party activists who work hard; identify one party mitra and mahila mitra for every thirty voters; assign booth level responsibilities to leaders who have influence in public; promote welfare schemes of the government in a big way and contribute by uploading to the party’s encyclopedia in Wikipedia.
For this, Naidu has called for extensive enrolment and completion of the Intintiki Telugu Desam programme by December end. While 1.17 crore households have already been covered, another 20.38 lakh households remain to be visited. This has already contributed to feedback and 50 lakh petitions seeking the government’s intervention to redress a grievance. Naidu has set a December 31 deadline for resolution, after categorising them into those with or without financial implications. Even as these are resolved and the party wins support, Naidu has asked party leaders to form 5,497 booth-level committees and publicise welfare schemes.
Naidu is leaving little to chance. A re-election in 2019 is vital for the future of the TDP and the succession plans for his only son Nara Lokesh. For this, Naidu is aware the party also has to focus on his government’s performance in the wake of reorganisation of Andhra and challenges faced by his state including building a new and modern capital.
The TDP chief wants leaders to explain how the state has developed over the last three and a half years on several fronts. He pointed out, for instance, “the economic, industrial, irrigation and other sectors, despite the disadvantages and injustice done to Andhra Pradesh in the AP Reorganisation Act, have made progress.”
After losing Hyderabad, revenue collections have increased to Rs 99,738 crore in 2016-17 from Rs 65,695 crore in 2014-15. Capital expenditure was more than double compared to 2014-15. Revenue deficit has gone up to Rs 18, 790 crore in 2016-17 from Rs 13, 775 crore in 2014-15. Per capita income has increased to Rs 1, 22,376 in 2016-17 from Rs 82,870 in 2014-15. So, to ensure all provisions and assurances of the Reorganisation Act are implemented, Naidu has directed officials to engage with the centre and other institutions.
Naidu isn’t losing sight of party activists who are demanding tarring Jaganmohan Reddy. Instead of asking them to limit themselves to sullying his political rival, Naidu wants party activists to explain how Jagan’s exploits were ruining the image of the state.
(Courtesy of Mail Today)