Naidu sets target for new-look TDP executive

Vijayawada: TDP national president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday set a clear target for the party's newly inducted executive, asking leaders and cadre to ensure that the ruling alliance secures more votes in every polling booth than it did in 2024.Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of the party's new executive committee at the TDP central office, Naidu said elections were due again in three years and the mandate was meant for rebuilding Andhra Pradesh. He administered the oath to politburo, national and state committee members, with IT and HRD minister Nara Lokesh taking charge as the party's national working president.Naidu said committees were constituted after detailed deliberations, blending senior leadership with energetic younger members and giving prominence to those who worked on the ground. For the first time, mandal and cluster-level leaders were inducted into the politburo, underlining the principle that "worker is the leader". Women were given greater representation and social re-engineering was consciously adopted, he said.Praising Lokesh, Naidu said he played a key role during the party's time in opposition by motivating cadre and strengthening the organisation, and has continued the same after coming to power. He said Lokesh was entrusted with responsibilities based on work, not permissions, and emphasised that positions were duties, not privileges.Highlighting governance, Naidu said the state economy, once on ‘ventilator', is being stabilised with the Centre's support. He cited revival of stalled central schemes, rescheduling of debt, rollout of welfare programmes, irrigation projects, Polavaram and Amaravati works, revival of Vizag steel plant, and reforms in the power sector, including steps to lower electricity purchase costs and avoid tariff hikes.He urged party leaders to communicate development, welfare, reforms and the struggles endured since 2024 to the people, while countering what he described as "misinformation by the opposition". He warned against indiscipline, ego clashes and disputes over flex boards, photos or seating, saying leaders and workers must remain accessible, modest and united. "People are watching us," Naidu said, calling for clean conduct, party discipline, and sustained grassroots work to ensure the TDP retains power beyond a single term.Speaking to the party committees after taking oath, Lokesh asked party leaders to shun arrogance after assuming positions and work by taking everyone along. Addressing a training programme after the swearing-in ceremony, he said leadership positions carry responsibility and accountability. "Party leaders must function inclusively in their constituencies and match the trust reposed in them by the leadership. The performance of leaders would be reviewed every three months," he said, reiterating that every action of a leader reflects on the party. Calling for greater awareness on political issues, party organisation and management, Lokesh urged leaders to strengthen coordination and move forward with discipline and unity.