Telangana Rashtra Samithi has attacked the Telugu Desam Party calling it an ‘Andhra party’. However, TDP’s Telangana unit president, L Ramana has clarified it by stating that “Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was formed in the heart of Telangana by late NT Rama Rao. Soon after its formation, changes have come in the political arena. Through the TDP, many sections have found their way into Assembly and Parliament and got (their) share in governance”.
He also said that TDP had brought in welfare and development and benefitted the poor. Ramana said the party has found a place in the hearts of the poor in Telangana and they think it belongs to them. “People feel that a rise in the living standards and a boost to welfare and development is possible with the TDP”, he added.
The TDP has formed a “grand alliance” with the Congress for upcoming Telangana Assembly Elections, CPI and TJS to for the December 7 Assembly polls in Telangana. As TDP was formed on the anti-Congress plank, the TRS is questioning their alliance. Ramana has clarified that there has been a change in the policies and ideology of the Congress and in circumstances since the TDP was formed (in 1982).
Meanwhile, TDP has targeted TRS for leading an undemocratic rule in Telangana (than the Congress did when TDP was formed) and ignored the poor. He said the TDP, Congress, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti have come together to defeat the “family rule” of the TRS.
“The aim of the alliance is to work from a people’s angle, to realise the aspirations of martyrs (those who sacrificed life in support of separate Telangana),” Ramana said. Boasting of the party’s reach among the masses, Ramana claimed, “We have (party) committees up to village level. It is only TDP in the state which has such strong (network).
In the interest of development and seeking a democratic rule in Telangana, we have gone for grand alliance. We will strive for victory and (I have) confidence that (grand alliance) government will come,” he added.
In the 2014 elections, the TDP had won 15 Assembly segments (out of 119) and a Lok Sabha seat in Telangana However, 12 MLAs have since then left the party and has joined TRS which has to render the party weak. But TDP believes in its core strength of workers despite the leaders deserting the party.
On whether the alliance will go on to fight upcoming general elections after the assembly elections in five states, Ramana said the parties have decided to move ahead with coordination and in a spirit of giving and take, hoping that the spirit would continue among them.