People’s Faith Powered TDP’s 45-Year Political Journey: Chandrababu

The Telugu Desam Party’s annual convention, Mahanadu , began on a grand scale in Mangalagiri on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister Nara Lokesh unveiling the party’s political and developmental vision for the coming years.

Addressing party delegates, Chandrababu Naidu said the TDP had remained a strong political force for 45 years despite facing electoral setbacks, political hostility, and administrative pressure under previous governments. Referring to his arrest and the obstacles faced during Lokesh’s Yuvagalam padayatra, he said the party overcame every challenge through public support and returned to power with a decisive mandate .

The Chief Minister described the TDP as a platform that nurtures leadership and said the party had spent nearly ₹160 crore on the welfare of its cadre. He stressed that the government’s future plans are focused on preparing Andhra Pradesh for emerging global opportunities and long-term development .

Naidu outlined plans to position the state as a major destination for advanced industries, including Artificial Intelligence , semiconductors , quantum technology, aerospace, electronics, and automobile manufacturing. He also said the government would encourage startups and innovation-led businesses to generate employment for youth.

Women’s empowerment emerged as another major focus of the convention. Chandrababu credited women voters for the alliance’s success in the 2024 elections and announced that the government aims to create five lakh women entrepreneurs in the coming years after already supporting one lakh women in establishing businesses over the past year.

The biggest political announcement of the day came from Nara Lokesh, who proposed reserving 33 percent of TDP tickets for women in the 2029 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He said the party should implement the decision irrespective of the status of the Women’s Reservation Bill at the national level.

Lokesh stated that the TDP has consistently supported women’s political participation since the days of founder N.T. Rama Rao. The proposal has now sparked widespread political discussion, with many viewing it as a significant step toward greater representation and generational change in Andhra Pradesh politics.