TDP is planning to use it’s Andhra Pradesh president Kimidi Kalavenkatrao’s cotacts in Odisha to make inroads into Odisha where sizeable chunk of Telugu population lives. After winning the two wards in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the party is planning to spread it’s wings in Telugu areas of neighboring states like Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Now the appointment of Kalavenkatrao has come handy for the party as he hails from North Coastal Andhra. He has good contacts with Telugu areas of Odisha state.
Party leaders from North Coastal Andhra are suggesting TDP national president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to think of entering Odisha. Over 30 lakh Telugu-speaking people live in areas such as Chatrapur, Berhampur, Parlakhemundi, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Jeypore in Odisha. Senior TDP leader Gorle Haribabu Naidu on Friday urged TDP national president Chandrababu Naidu to look into the possibility of expanding to Odisha, by setting up local TDP committees. “There is vast scope for TDP to expand into Odisha and win some seats if the party contests next election,” he said.
He said TDP Andhra Pradesh state committee president Kala Venkata Rao had contacts with several public representatives in Odisha and his influence can be used for the benefit of the party. TDP said the party happens to be strong in Srikakulam district with the support of settlers from Odisha this would work in the Telugu areas of Odisha in favor of Telugu Desam party. “TDP will have a national outlook if it has the presence in Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar,” state vice-president PV Ramana and general secretary Sriakkulam Boina Govinda Rajulu said.
The party leaders said influential parties in Odisha may join hands with the TDP to win the support of Telugu people in several constituencies.
