Sep 10:The Telugu Desam Party today marked a significant milestone with the swearing-in of the new Global NRI TDP Executive Committee, bringing together the Telugu diaspora across the world under a unified organisational platform to contribute to the development of Andhra Pradesh and strengthen the party’s grassroots presence ahead of the 2029 elections.
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony, Minister Nara Lokesh recalled the difficult period when Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu was imprisoned in Rajahmundry Central Jail for 53 days. Lokesh said visiting his father in jail was an extremely painful experience and recalled the irony of seeing foundation stones inside the prison bearing Chandrababu Naidu’s name for development and modernisation works undertaken during his tenure as Chief Minister.
Lokesh said the same institution that had witnessed Chandrababu Naidu’s efforts to improve prison infrastructure eventually became the place of his own imprisonment. Despite the adversity, he said, Chandrababu Naidu remained resolute and courageous, while the TDP continued its fight with the unwavering support of party workers and the Telugu community. Recalling the solidarity demonstrated by Telugu people during this difficult phase, Lokesh highlighted the “I Am With CBN” campaign, which received widespread support across Bengaluru, Chennai, Karnataka and several other regions. He also recalled the “Gratitude Concert” organised in Hyderabad, which brought together nearly 50,000 Telugu people to express their solidarity with Chandrababu Naidu.
Lokesh said the unity and commitment displayed by TDP workers and supporters across the world gave the family immense strength during the challenging period. He urged the newly constituted Global NRI TDP leadership to remember those difficult days and carry forward the same spirit of unity, determination and commitment.
Lokesh also called upon the global Telugu diaspora to move beyond being mere observers of Andhra Pradesh’s development and become active partners in public service and state-building. He said the TDP was creating platforms through which highly educated professionals, entrepreneurs and diaspora members could contribute their knowledge, expertise and global experience to the state’s growth.
Union Minister of State Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar congratulated Dr. Sri Guru Raja, who assumed charge as President of Global NRI TDP, and acknowledged his years of dedicated, behind-the-scenes service to the party. Accepting the responsibility, Dr. Guru Raja said he would work to unite NRI cadres across the globe and channel their expertise towards rebuilding Andhra Pradesh, while continuing his professional responsibilities as a medical doctor in the United States.
The NRI wing of the TDP carries a legacy of nearly three decades and is now being consolidated into a single global force under the strategic direction of Shri Nara Lokesh. Minister Kondapalli Srinivas said Lokesh was creating new platforms for highly educated professionals and members of the diaspora to actively contribute to public service and the state’s development.
Dr. Guru Raja said initiatives such as NTR Sanjeevani Clinics, the 100-bed hospital, Gems Park and the “Mana Illu – Mana Lokesh” housing scheme in Mangalagiri had set a new benchmark for public governance. He said the newly constituted committee would work towards further strengthening the party’s organisational and grassroots network across the state.Party leaders credited Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu with building a globally respected brand for the Telugu people. Dr. Pemmasani and Minister Srinivas recalled how Naidu’s pioneering reforms in education and the IT sector created opportunities for youth from modest backgrounds to emerge as global technology leaders, experts and CEOs.
Dr. Guru Raja said this vision was now being extended to emerging technologies, with the Chief Minister focusing on developing expertise in areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing. He said the state’s efforts to attract investments, startups and data centres would help transform Amaravati into a world-class knowledge hub, with infrastructure and opportunities comparable to leading cities in the United States.
The crucial role played by NRIs during the 2024 elections was also highlighted. Party leaders expressed gratitude to members of the diaspora who travelled long distances to cast their votes, helped identify and eliminate bogus voter registrations and contributed to safeguarding the democratic process despite significant personal and family commitments. Looking ahead, the Global NRI TDP plans to leverage the strength of Telugu families spread across 165 countries. Dr. Guru Raja called for every NRI family to become an influencer among at least 10 families in Andhra Pradesh, creating a powerful grassroots multiplier effect. He said this outreach could potentially connect with around 50 lakh voters across the state.
The newly constituted committee also called upon NRIs to look beyond their professional and financial success abroad and contribute their knowledge, technical expertise, entrepreneurial experience and capital towards empowering Andhra Pradesh’s youth and building world-class infrastructure. The Government of Andhra Pradesh, the leaders said, would extend full support to members of the diaspora seeking to return to the state and establish industries, businesses and new ventures. The newly sworn-in Global NRI TDP Executive Committee pledged to work closely with the state government and party leadership, bringing together the global experience and expertise of the Telugu diaspora to contribute to the vision of making Andhra Pradesh the best state in the world.