Hyderabad: The Telugu Desam Party announced setting up of a special fund with a corpus of Rs 20 crore to extend financial assistance to needy workers of the party, becoming the first political organisation in the country to create such a fund.
The TDP's annual conclave Mahanadu sanctioned the fund proposal mooted by president N Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh, who made his maiden speech at the event on Wednesday.
"It's a small idea that Lokesh has come up with but it will benefit lakhs of party workers," Chandrababu said, expressing happiness over the proposal.
Lokesh, who extensively campaigned for the party in the recent elections, addressed the delegates at the Mahanadu for the first time.
"I bow my head to the lakhs of TDP workers who have been holding the party flag aloft for the last 33 years. The party always stood by you and will always stand by you. We will ensure you settle down not only politically but also financially well," Lokesh said, evoking applause from the rank and file.
Chandrababu's only son, Lokesh said he has no siblings "but all the TDP workers are my brothers and sisters".
The TDP has been taking care of the educational and health care needs of party workers and their children, he pointed out.
"In the long term, we need to create a fund to meet the financial requirements of party workers for education, marriage and health care. I hope the party will take a decision in this regard," Lokesh, who runs Chandrababu's Heritage Dairy business, said.
Newly elected TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy responded immediately and announced a donation of Rs 5 lakh to the fund.
Sensing the mood and enthusiasm, Chandrababu too reacted spontaneously and announced setting up a special fund.
The interest accrued from the corpus would be utilised for the welfare of party workers, he said.
"There are rich leaders and poor workers in the party. The rich should contribute to the well being of the poor. He also exhorted party rank and file to contribute a portion of their earnings to the welfare fund.
Chandrababu announced that the party recently received donations to the tune of Rs 14 crore.
