Leaders asked to patronise party and people
Vijayawada: Telugu Desam national general secretary Nara Lokesh on Tuesday called for a more accountable, grassroots-driven and digitally savvy party set-up, asking elected representatives to take up responsibilities and emerge as “assets, not liabilities” to the party.
Addressing the concluding session of the TD’s first-of-its-kind two-day Leadership Conclave at its central office, Lokesh said the party should usher in “TDP Version 3.0” by strengthening cadre connect, booth-level engagement and direct interaction with the people ahead of the local body elections and the 2029 assembly polls.
Lokesh said the TD should remain the first priority for every elected representative. While internal debates were welcome, leaders and cadre must ultimately work towards a common agenda. He called for continuous activation of the cadre and faster resolution of people’s grievances.
The party’s major challenge, he said, was not necessarily implementing the developmental and welfare programmes, but “communicating our achievements effectively to the people.” The opposition, he alleged, was often able to spread misinformation faster than the ruling party could communicate facts.
Lokesh asked legislators to identify their weaknesses, work on them and personally take responsibility for resolving public issues rather than merely forwarding grievances to senior leaders. The 2024 batch of elected representatives, he said, must work harder, serve the cadre and remain closely connected with the people so that it could be regarded as “the best batch of leaders”.
Speaking on Political Communication and Public Orientation, Lokesh stressed that social media should be treated as a direct communication channel, rather than seeing it merely as a publicity platform. Leaders must regularly highlight the government’s developmental and welfare initiatives and promptly counter opposition claims with facts and evidence.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s use of selfie videos, he urged TD leaders to adopt more personal and accessible methods of communication. He referred to his own selfie videos on the Suzlon wind projects and the DSC recruitment controversy as examples of how leaders could communicate directly with people.
TD’s second-in-command said the opposition propaganda should be countered quickly and social media teams respond promptly to party programmes and directives instead of remaining passive. He also pointed to the use of social media by AMC (Agriculture Market Committees) and corporation chairpersons to inform people about works being taken up in their areas.
The education minister urged leaders to cite the development of Amaravati to the people more aggressively through digital and other communication platforms. The YSRC leaders and cadres were blindly defending their party chief, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, he said, and called for a factual response to opposition stunts.
The corporate-style conclave brought together ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and senior party leaders for leadership training, peer learning and practical discussions. Senior leaders conducted sessions on political, organisational, governance, welfare and developmental issues. The participants were encouraged to raise questions and discuss challenges.
As part of the party’s political campaign, Lokesh proposed lighting of 53 diyas at every booth and constituency to mark the anniversary of the 53-day imprisonment of the party’s national president. He also called for pasting of Nijam Gelichindi posters on walls and observance of the day as a “black day”.
