తెలుగుదేశం కథ: పార్టీ పెట్టిన తొమ్మిది నెలల్లోనే ఎన్టీఆర్ అధికారం ఎలా సాధించారు?

The story of TDP: How NTR won power nine months after launching a party

March 29, 1982. In Hyderabad, Telugu film superstar Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) announced a new political party — Telugu Desam. He had no political experience at that time. But just nine months later, in January 1983, the party came to power in a landslide victory in the united Andhra Pradesh. This was a rare event in Indian politics.

Why was it born?

The Congress has been ruling the state since 1956. But the frequent changes in chief ministers and the reliance on the Delhi high command's decisions have led to discontent among the Telugu people. Certain incidents — notably the news of a chief minister being insulted at the airport — have reinforced the feeling of "Telugu self-respect". NTR has captured that emotion perfectly.

Chariot of Consciousness

NTR converted a van into a "Chaitanya Ratham" and toured the state. Wearing khaki, he traveled for hours, bathing on the roadside, and addressed the villages. Lakhs of people came to see the actor, who had been seen as Rama and Krishna in films. In the January 1983 elections, the TDP won a huge majority. NTR was sworn in as the Chief Minister.

Popular schemes

The scheme of rice at two rupees per kilo is a symbol of NTR's rule. Decisions like providing pucca houses to the poor, a law providing equal rights to women in property, abolishing the Patel-Patwari system, and establishing the Mandal system were taken. The Mandal system brought governance closer to the villages.

The 1984 Crisis — Preserving Democracy

In August 1984, when NTR went to America for a heart surgery, Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, a member of his cabinet, became the Chief Minister along with some MLAs. The Governor appointed him. Against this, NTR launched the "Protection of Democracy" movement. The MLAs were produced before the President. Opposition parties across the country supported him. Within a month, NTR became the Chief Minister again.

In the Lok Sabha elections held in December of the same year, following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, a Congress wave swept across the country. But in Andhra Pradesh, the TDP won 30 seats and became the main opposition in the Lok Sabha — an unprecedented honour for a regional party.

Defeat, victory, change

TDP was defeated in 1989. NTR came to power again with a huge victory in 1994. But in August 1995, an internal crisis arose in the party. His son-in-law Nara Chandrababu Naidu became the Chief Minister with the support of the majority of MLAs. NTR passed away on January 18, 1996.

Chandrababu era

Chandrababu Naidu focused on IT and administrative reforms as Chief Minister between 1995–2004. He played a key role in the United Front and NDA governments in national politics. After defeats in 2004 and 2009, he became the first Chief Minister of the divided Andhra Pradesh in 2014. Despite losing in 2019, he became the Chief Minister for the fourth time in 2024 with a landslide victory in alliance with Jana Sena and BJP. However, in Telangana, the party weakened after the bifurcation of the state.

Inheritance

TDP is not just a party; it is a movement that has increased regional identity and political representation for the backward classes in Telugu politics. It is one of the few regional parties that has maintained its existence for more than forty years.

Conclusion

An actor's popularity, an emotional slogan, a chariot of consciousness — these together changed the history of Telugu politics. The journey started by NTR continues even today.

Photo: India Post, Government of India / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)