With fresh hopes, TDP set for show of strength

VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
First Published : 01 Dec 2010 04:38:16 AM IST
Last Updated : 01 Dec 2010 11:23:49 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Delighted over the Congress being in disarray, the Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is fancying its chances of ruling the state again.

As a show of strength, the TDP has announced a massive rally in Hyderabad in December. It intends to focus on exposing the Congress’ corruption, more precisely the 2G spectrum scam.

Simultaneously, it is preparing to take on YS Jagan Mohan Reddy showing him as the beneficiary of the ‘corrupt wealth’ of YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

At a meeting with TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu at his residence here today, party seniors came up with several ideas from among which Naidu liked the rally against Congress’ corruption.

Leaders of all friendly parties will be invited to the rally.

Though the TDP wanted to wait and watch the unfolding scenario in the Congress, at least till the developments reach a decisive stage, before coming out with an action plan, it also sees the possibility of the Congress thrusting mid-term polls on the people, and hence the need to act with some urgency.

For the moment, the TDP is waiting for the fallout of the cabinet formation tomorrow and the Jagan’s moves to launch his political party.

“Jagan is a wounded soldier and will not keep quiet. He may topple the government and the TDP is prepared to meet any eventuality,” TDP senior leader M Narasimhulu told Express after attending the meeting with Naidu.

The TDP has organisational structure and is ready to face elections any time. It was Jagan who had no structure at all, the TDP leaders pointed out.

For the record, the TDP leaders said there was little they could do with regard to the ongoing develoments in the Congress. They would mainly focus on people’s issues. “We will fight for the cause of beedi workers, junior lecturers and other issues,” TDP politburo member N Janardhan Reddy said.

However, the TDP is still in a dilemma whether to take the Congress or Jagan as its main rival. “Still the Congress is the main rival for us,” Janardhan Reddy said. The TDP leadership is of the opinion that Jagan may turn out to be another Chiranjeevi by ending up with around 30 seats.

However, the TDP will make a reassessment after Jagan comes out with his new party. “Whether it is Jagan or Congress, it is immaterial for us. We will be identified with the people,” another TDP leader said.