The port city will play host to the annual plenary of TDP after a gap of 15 years. The TDP party has chosen Visakhapatnam as the venue for the three-day Mahanadu programme, seeing as how the region has always been a supporter of the party.
The party will be conducting its annual meeting on May 29 on the birth anniversary of its founder-president and former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao. Previously, Vizag played host to the Mahanadu twice. After coming to power, the TDP had conducted the same in Gandipet and Tirupati before choosing Vizag as the venue for this year. This year the plenary will be held from May 27 to 29.
The event will most likely play a key role in poll preparation for the party cadres and leaders. After the city has played host to national and international events, it seems like it’s a lure to national political conclaves too. Even the BJP plans to conduct its national executive committee meeting in Vizag on July 15 & 16. A CPM national plenary was previously conducted at the Rajiv Gandhi Port Stadium in 2015.
TDP first conducted a Mahanadu in Vizag in 1984 at the Gymkhana grounds in the port area. “Present MLC MVVS Murthy had set up a small hut for its president NTR in 1984. Massive number of party cadres took part in the Mahanadu,” senior leader SK Rehaman reportedly said. Vizag also hosted the Mahanadu in 2002 at the Port Stadium when Rehaman was the party city president.
The coordination committee of TDP met her yesterday and two places were proposed for the three-day event. Visakha East MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu thought a huge chunk of open space at the Dairy Farm would be best for the massive gathering. Sources reportedly said, “It has three exit routes and provides a hassle-free movement for VIPs as it is connected to Kailasagiri Road.” TDP leaders have proposed the AU Engineering Grounds but the government stated that the ground should not be used for political meetings. The statement is a strange one seeing as how the ground previously played host to the closing function of the CM’s ‘Meekosam’ padayatra before the elections. Other leaders have proposed the Rajiv Gandhi Port Stadium.
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