TDP Losing Relevance In Telangana Political Landscape

Hyderabad: The recent Telangana elections in 2018 proved to be a clear indication that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which was once a highly regarded party in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh could soon lose its relevance in the Telangana political landscape.

The TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu is having a double whammy in the both the Telugu states. With the party winning only two seats in the Telangana assembly in 2018 and to add to its misery, one of the two MLAs Sandra Venkata Veeraiah subsequently defection to the ruling TRS on March 3 has left the TDP cadre in a state of confusion. Now with just one TDP MLA it seems clear that the TDP would soon have to wind up operations in Telangana by 2022. But this wasn't the final tryst ,lwhen earlier in 2014 12 TDP MLAs and 1 MP defected to the TRS which had reduced the strength of the party.

The party which was founded by former actor N T Rama Rao on the basis of upholding the pride of Telugus, held immense clout and virtually ruled the Andhra State. However, post the bifurcation and its dismal performance in the Telangana Elections, the TDP had decided not to contest in the MPTC (Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies) and ZPTC (Zila Parishad Territorial Constituencies) elections in the ongoing local body elections in Telangana.

A senior journalist said that the party lost its significance after bifurcation and with Chandrababu's U Turn, the fortunes of the party dwindled further. The ground-level cadre lost ground and with Chandrababu leaving the fate of the TDP to the local leaders who were in dire need of strong leader, had no choice but to join the TRS for their survival.

Senior TD leaders like Revanth Reddy joined the Congress after the Vote -for-Note scam, recently Khammam candidate and TDP strongman Nama Nageshwar Rao, also left the party after a lot of 'persuasion' from the TRS during the Lok Sabha elections. With barely any strong leader left it seems evident that the TDP has lost its ground in Telangana .And to revive, its fortunes would be next to impossible is what political analysts say.

But for the revival of the TDP in Telangana, it needs a strong leader like Chandrababu Naidu who could lead the party. However, looking at the current scenario in the 2019 Elections held in Andhra Pradesh, he himself had a tough time convincing the people. With a strong adversary like YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu had to try every trick in the trade to woo voters. Post the elections also he is seen trying to stay relevant in state politics with his complaints against the EVM VVPATs in the Supreme court, conducting review meetings despite the poll code in place etc. This is keeping him sufficiently busy and to focus on the fate of the TDP and spearhead party activities in Telangana would be a daunting task for the TDP Chief.

Also Read: YSRCP Predicts Death Knell for TDP Soon