Grand Old TDP Lacks Courage To Take This Step?

Telugu Desam Party has a rich history of coming to power in the state in just nine months after floating the party. Late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao vowed for the self-respect of Telugus and started the party in 1982. He defeated the Congress party and became the Chief Minister. He braced for the interim elections in 1984 and became the Chief Minister once again. He defeated the opponents single-handedly. NTR served as the Chairman of the National Front that gave the Prime Minister against the Congress. Back then, other parties showed interest in an alliance with TDP. TDP walked with small parties like Sanjay Vichar Manch, BJP, and left parties.

But the situation has changed now. Many say that after the party went into the hands of Chandrababu, TDP was forced to try hard for the alliances.TDP allied with the BJP for elections in 1999 and 2004. It won the first election and lost the second one. In 2009, TDP allied with CPI, CPM, and TRS(present BRS). But failed to win the elections. In the 2014 polls, TDP allied with BJP and Janasena and tasted success. But it could not face the Jagan’s wave as it contested the 2019 polls alone.

For the 2024 polls, TDP is likely to contest along with BJP and Janasena. A question arises here on why the party often focuses on alliances instead of making the strong cadre and fans strong. TDP ruled the combined AP. People walked with the party when NTR gave a call. However, the party went into the hands of Chandrababu due to various consequences. Since then, the party’s popularity has come down. TDP still has lakhs of people who love it as supporters. But the party is not taking the risk of making the following its strength and going forward.