Hyderabad: Moving ahead towards its aim to become a national party, Telugu Desham Party (TDP) on Wednesday initiated the process of changing laws governing its structure and of changing its nomenclature at a party conclave, which began here.
Speaking at three-day conclave 'Mahanadu', first after the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh, party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed hope that TDP would spread beyond Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
In the wake of bifurcation, TDP recently decided to evolve into a national party to function effectively in both the states and was taking steps towards this goal.
It has started membership drive in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka besides the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which have sizable Telugu-speaking population.
The road ahead and the steps to be taken to become a national party would be discussed at the conclave, former MLA and senior leader Payyavula Keshav had said.
For this purpose, a central committee has been proposed to be set up for the first time in TDP's 33-year-old history.
It is also expected to form two separate state-level committees for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Naidu said that the party would play its roles as the ruling party in AP, as an opposition in Telangana and as an alliance partner at the Centre effectively.
Referring to his criticism by TRS for claiming credit for the growth of Hyderabad and Telangana, Naidu said he was ready for a debate on the issue.
He, however, added that governments of two states should have healthy relations, and work together in the interest of Telugu people in both the states, notwithstanding political differences.
Naidu's son Lokesh, coordinator for party workers' welfare fund, said TDP had introduced measures such as an insurance cover for party workers and a skill development centre to train workers besides offering help in providing jobs and education to their families.
There has been speculation in party circles that Lokesh may play a greater role in the party affairs in coming days.
