Addressing a press conference at the TDP office here, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that the party would hold a district-level meeting on September 12, followed by meetings at the Assembly constituency level, as part of preparations for the local body elections.
The TDP president said that the party would assess the capabilities of leaders, including the young leaders, and consider various political equations before finalising candidates. “The Mayor candidate has not been decided yet. We will discuss the issue at various levels and, in consultation with the party high command,” he said.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) was deliberately creating unnecessary controversy by suggesting that there could be unanimous elections and tensions during the local body polls. He said the NDA was not in favour of unanimous elections and preferred healthy political competition. He said funds ranging from ₹3,500 crore to ₹6,000 crore from the Centre were expected to be channelled through local bodies and that conducting elections was important for ensuring that the funds were properly utilised.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao alleged that fake social media accounts were being created in the names of the TDP and Jana Sena Party (JSP) to spread misinformation and create discord among leaders and cadres of the alliance.
He said some of these accounts were allegedly being operated from abroad and warned party workers and leaders against falling prey to such propaganda. He appealed to the cadre to immediately bring fake accounts and misleading posts to the notice of the party leadership so that appropriate legal action could be initiated.
“If anything comes in the name of the JSP or TDP against each other, NDA leaders should not respond. The response will come from the high command,” he said.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the NDA government was committed to implementing 34% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) and would ensure that the reservation was implemented in the ensuing local body elections.
He accused YSRCP leaders of deliberately spreading misinformation on BC reservations and attempting to create confusion among members of the community. He said a special sub-committee had been constituted to protect the interests of BCs. The community, had already taught the YSRCP a fitting lesson for what he described as its neglect of BC welfare.