Hyderabad: After 34 years as a regional party, the Telugu Desam on Friday declared itself a national party. The Mahanadu accepted the resolution moved by politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu to convert the TD into a national party. “After the bifurcation of the state, it has become necessary to change since the TD is strong in both the states. We have been mulling converting it since long. For a party to get national status, we need to contest in at least four states. Apart from both the states, we would like to contest from Odisha, Puducherry and parts of Karnataka in the next elections. The party’s name and symbol (cycle) will remain as they are,” Mr Ramakrishnudu said. Soon after his speech, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was re-elected unopposed as the president of the party’s central committee.
 
K. Kala Venkata Rao, the party’s election committee convener, said as many as 30 sets of nominations supported Mr Naidu. Mr I. Peddi Reddy, party convener from Telangana, conducted the swearing-in of Mr Naidu, who took oath in the name of God.
 
Mr Naidu said that though the TD was becoming a national party now, it had been playing a pro-active role in national politics for long. “Our founder president N.T. Rama Rao had formed the National Front and was its chairman, I played a key role in the formation of the United Front and making H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral Prime Ministers. We were partners in NDA-1 and NDA-2. So, it is quite natural that we become a national party,” he said.
 
Hindupur MLA and actor Balakrishna said that NTR had dreamt of making the TD a national party, and he felt proud that it had finally become a reality. Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishna Murthy said the party can move ahead with greater vigour.