Telugu Desam to Seek a Bigger Mandate in Local Body Polls: Naidu

“Telugu Desam leaders must begin preparations immediately by strengthening the party at the grassroots level. The party’s newly constituted executive committee, its leaders and cadre must ensure that the three-party alliance secures a bigger vote share in every polling booth than it did in the 2024 elections,” he said at a party event here on Wednesday.
The chief minister administered the oath to members of the politburo, the national and state committees, while party general secretary and education minister Nara Lokesh assumed charge as the TD national working president.

“People voted for this alliance to rebuild Andhra Pradesh. In the next elections, we must secure more votes than we did in 2024. Only then can we claim we have performed well. Our vote bank should continue to grow,” Naidu asserted.

He urged party cadres to take the government’s development and welfare initiatives to the people and explain the reforms and sacrifices being made for the future of the state. Local body elections would become one-sided if party workers functioned sincerely and in coordination, he said.

The TD chief said the committees were formed after careful evaluation while ensuring respect for senior leaders and opportunities for newcomers. He noted that women and educated leaders had been given larger representation and responsibilities.
Praising his son Nara Lokesh, Naidu said the young leader played a vital role in motivating the cadre during the party’s years in the opposition and in strengthening the organisation after the alliance came to power.

“Lokesh worked tirelessly for cadre welfare, organised training programmes and is striving to fulfil the promise of providing 20 lakh jobs. Many global companies are now coming to Andhra Pradesh because of his efforts. The post of working president is not merely a position but a huge responsibility,” Naidu stated by way of an explanation.

The Chief Minister said the government had revived an economy that was “on ventilator support” and restored governance systems with assistance from the Centre. He highlighted welfare programmes, governance services through WhatsApp, revival of Polavaram and Amaravati works, and steps taken to regain investor confidence.

Naidu said the government was working to reduce the burden of electricity costs, expedite irrigation projects, complete ports, airports and highways, and develop Visakhapatnam into a major technology hub.

Launching a sharp attack on the opposition, Naidu accused rival parties of spreading false propaganda to obstruct investments and development in the state. Referring to the opposition as the “Axe Party,” he alleged that they suffered from “CCD — Credit Chori Disorder” and specialised in creating confusion through misinformation campaigns.

“They are trying to block investments and funds coming to Andhra Pradesh. Despite such attempts, major industries and investors continue to show confidence in the state,” he said.
Reiterating that discipline remained the core ideology of the TD, Naidu cautioned party leaders against unnecessary disputes over flex boards, photographs, chairs etc and avoid local ego clashes among alliance partners. He asked TD, Jana Sena and BJP workers to function in close coordination and warned leaders against arrogance and misuse of power.