President of Telugu Desam Party’s Central Committee and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday administered oath to members of the newly-constituted party committees with a call to retaining power in Andhra Pradesh and bringing the TDP into government in Telangana in 2019 elections.
Members of the party’s central committee, including his son and newly appointed general secretary (organisation) Nara Lokesh, those of the State Committees of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were administered the oath by Mr. Naidu at NTR Bhavan here amidst a large gathering of party functionaries from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Besides Mr. Naidu, AP party president Kala Venkata Rao and Telangana unit president L. Ramana also took oath. Pointing out that this was the first time that a central committee has been set up, Mr. Naidu recalled that the TDP founder and former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao created a sensation in the country by bringing the TDP to power within nine months of forming the party on the plank of self-respect of Telugu people.
Later, he brought together the non-Congress parties in the country and formed the National Front. He said that the TDP played pivotal role in national politics during the governments led by National Front, United Front and the NDA subsequently.
Mr. Naidu said that while the TDP was in Government in Andhra Pradesh, it was playing the role of Opposition in Telangana and sharing power with NDA at the Centre.
He exhorted the leadership in both the States to respond to the problems faced by people and stressed on the need for taking Centre’s help in resolving them. As an Opposition party in Telangana, the TDP would wage an uncompromising fight on behalf of the people.
Referring to the newly-formed committees, he said that there was a mix of old and new faces in the party. He, however, cautioned that each member’s performance would be evaluated and a progress report given every three months. “It will improve efficiency and make them serve people better”, he added.
Telangana State President L. Ramana and AP State President Kala Venkata Rao also addressed the gathering.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and a few other members, who came late, were administered the oath separately.
