Naidu to expand TDP's base in other states to attain national party status

Vijayawada, Nov 20: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday declared that he wants to expand the base of Telugu Desam Party in other states with a view to become a national party. After inaugurating TDP's general body meeting here on Thursday, Naidu said TDP is doing well in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. However, it should now reach other states also to attain the status of a national party, Naidu said. Naidu alleged that some people from Telangana were trying to destabilise TDP in that region. The people of Hyderabad gave a good mandate to the TDP and BJP by electing MLAs from both the alliance partners during the last Assembly elections, he said and added that those in power in Telangana are unable to digest that fact. Chandrababu Naidu said his government is committed for the development of AP in all sectors and to take care of the welfare of the Telugu people from AP and Telangana. Speaking on his poll promises, Naidu said the AP government is waiving farm loans of up to Rs 1.5 lakh and is also providing debt relief to women self-help groups. Naidu said to empower those under the special scheme for Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWACRA) and also to teach a lesson to sand mafias, a new sand policy has been formulated under which some sand quarries have been allocated to DWACRA groups. He also said at least 75 per cent of the revenue generated from these sand quarries will be allocated to the Farmers Empowerment Corporation (FEC), set up to provide agricultural redemption to farmers.