Naidu tells TDP to prepare for midterm polls

Nara Chandrababu Naidu was elected the president of Telugu Desam Party for the eigth time at the party's annual conference Mahanadu, which concluded on Saturday.  As usual Naidu's election was unanimous as no other leader filed the nomination for the top post. Naidu said he will constitute the party executive later.

Naidu had taken the reigns of party's leadership after leading the coup against his father in law and TDP founder NT Rama Rao in August 1995.

Delivering his concluding address, Naidu asked the party workers to remain united and started preparing for the next elections which can be held at any time in view of the political uncertainty in the state.  

Coming down heavily on Congress government for its failure on all fronts, he said, "the people are being made to pay heavy price for the mis-governance of this government". Referring to the continuing attacks on Telugu Desam workers and worsening law and order situation, Naidu questioning the need of constituting a committee on public security under K V P Ramachandra Rao. Demanding his removal Naidu said that the Congress leaders were misusing the police force for their self interest.

Naidu's brother in law and film star N Balakrishna asked the rank and file of the party to prepare for elections. Referring to the political turmoil in the state he said that the elections can be held at any time. "You should be ready as elections can come at any time", he said.  NTR Junior urged the party cadres to work hard to bring the TDP back to power and to make Chandrababu Naidu the CM again

According to the report submitted before the conference, TDP has 20 lakh active and 30 lakh ordinary members in the state.

Meanwhile senior Congress leaders ridiculed the TDP leaders for talking of midterm elections in the state. "They are living in a fools' paradise", said Botsa Satyanarayana. "They are hoping for trouble in Congress party. Nothing like that is going to happen", he said. Another minister Kanna Lakshmi Narayana said that the government was elected for five years and it will complete its term.