Although the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a party that has its lineage firmly planted in Telangana it is now vigorously and passionately working to revive and rebuild its political infrastructure in the state. TDP is growing and advancing nationally but the terrain of political contests in Telangana is distancing TDP from state politics which has been true for some time. However, its determination and intention to reclaim Telangana is clear and unwavering.
Even with leadership issues in the state, TDP still retains a dedicated cadre presence in a number of important districts in Telangana. The division of united Andhra Pradesh introduced challenges, but in the 2014 Assembly polls, TDP was able to win 19 seats—representing more than 15% of seats in the Telangana Assembly. But in 2018, the party’s momentum was lost due to election defeats and the growing presence of Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh. The shift compelled TDP to concentrate exclusively on Andhra Pradesh politics and hence remained absent in the 2023 Telangana elections.
The situation shifted in 2024 when TDP returned to office with full force in Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu. His fourth tenure as Chief Minister is likely to go a long way in shaping TDP’s future in Telangana.
Now, TDP is set to rekindle its political footprint in Telangana with fresh vigor. The history of the party, having roots dating back to Hyderabad’s MLA hostels, underscores its age-old focus on fighting Telugu causes. Chandrababu Naidu recently sealed TDP’s plans to contest the Telangana Assembly elections actively, indicating the renewed thrust towards the state.
At present, Telangana’s political scene is being commanded by a three-cornered battle between Congress, BRS, and BJP. Where TDP stands in this competitive scenario is still an important question. Considering the current alliances of TDP with BJP and Jana Sena in Andhra Pradesh, there has been speculation regarding a possible NDA alliance being formed in Telangana by the 2028 elections.
The one important element for TDP’s revival in Telangana will be effective and trustworthy leadership. The induction of a new party president with a good reputation could prove to be decisive in driving the party to the forefront. With proper leadership and planning, TDP hopes to hoist its signature TDP flag high again over Telangana’s.