Telugu Desam Party (Telugu: Party for Telugu Land and People) or TDP is a regional political
party in India's Andhra Pradesh state. It was founded by former Telugu film star N. T. Rama Rao ("NTR")
on March 29, 1982, as an alternative to the ruling Congress Party in the state.
In the 8th Lok Sabha 1984, it was the second largest party with 39 members.
The Telugu Desam party founded by Dr N T Rama Rao in 1983 aimed at safeguarding the political,
economic, social and cultural foundations of Telugu speaking people in the country.
In Principle and also in Practice it is the mission of the TDP the party to protect the dignity and self
respect of Telugus and also ensure provision food, shelter and clothing to the common man at affordable
and sustainable prices and achieve empowerment of women, youth and all backward segments of society
in Andhra Pradesh.
The preamble of the TDP was to provide a welfare state based on the basic tenets of social justice and
equality for all. Society is a temple and People are deities, Dr NTR had asserted repeatedly.
It has also been top on the Agenda of the regional party since its inception to fight against the corruption
in public life manifested by the congress party and also strive to achieve a cohesive and workable
coordination with all non-congress opposition parties in the state and as well in the country to realize that
above goal.
Promoting minority welfare and perusal of a secular policy besides preservation of Indian constitution and
traditions of democracy by taking the administration to door steps of the people was also the guiding
principle of Sri Nara Chandrababu Naidu ever since he took on the mantle of the party in 1995.
TDP became the bulwark of administrative, economic and power reforms in the country and initiated
majority of far reaching programmes with World Bank aid to build a skilled manpower pool and also
efficient administration systems so that fruit of development programes could reach the real poor.
Unlike other regional and national political entities TDP believed in the dictum that a strong fourth estate
and an empowered forum of electronic and print media was an essential ingredient of a prosperous and
healthy society and as such promoted an environment for growth of a free and fair Press freedom in the
state. Hence it laid the foundations of free and strong Press freedom in the state.
Salient features of the vision for Andhra Pradesh as lay down by Dr NT Rama Rao and successor Sri
Nara Chandrababu Naidu are :
Promote all round recognition for Telugu culture, literature and Language. Promote Agriculture as a
profitable and revenue making activity in villages with adequate support of technology, finances, subsidies
and marketing. Provision of remunerative prices for agriculture produce with MSP for many staple and
commercial goods. Preservation of natural resources like water minerals - greenery, environment
protection for benefit of future generations. Youth empowerment through skill training for educated rural
youth, cultural and sports activities in rural areas to wean them away from left wing influence and also
village factions. More financial powers to Local self bodies from Village to Mandals - Zilla Parishads Municipalities - Municipal corporations. Farmer focused welfare and development programs for all round
development of villages with institutional support rural electrification-rural roads and rural health care.
Promote value added education system to make future citizens not only well informed but also prepared
for tasks ahead with private participation. Empowerment of women to become instruments of economic
activity in rural areas - with 50 % reservation in elected and constitutional bodies. Housing programs for
rural and urban poor with subsidies and promotion of wage labour and input components. Cheap Rice to
provide two meals a day to below poverty line families besides subsidized rates for essential commodities
through National Public Distribution System. Electoral reforms - anti defection law - root out black money
in elections and corruption free India. Administrative reforms - to usher in e-governance to regulate and
streamline - rationings, pensions, scholarships - cheap loans to women, farmers and self-employed.
Youth promotion in sports, skill development, political training classes - cultural and grass root
development programs. Empowerment of traditional artisans, weavers and other rural occupational
communities with finance and training in skills. Promotion of minor and medium irrigation, micro irrigation
to benefit farmers in dry and arid regions of the state. To introduce a comprehensive health care system in
government sector to enable access of super specialty treatment to rural poor. Equitable share in budget
allocation for Muslim and Christian minority for their all round growth in education, health, employment
and culture.
[edit]Assembly
Election History
Year
General Election
Seats Won
1983
6th Assembly
204
1984
7th Assembly
205
1989
8th Assembly
78
1994
9th Assembly
218
1999
10th Assembly
180
2004
11th Assembly
47
2009
12th Assembly
94
