TDP weighs austerity measures for Mahanadu amid PM’s call to cut spending

Vijayawada/Tirupati: The TDP leadership is considering major cost-cutting measures for its annual conclave Mahanadu as part of the broader austerity initiatives initiated in the state following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for reducing avoidable expenditure and promoting financial discipline.Party leaders said discussions are underway to scale down the traditionally lavish arrangements associated with the Mahanadu, which is considered the most important organisational event for the TDP every year. This year’s conclave assumes added political significance as it will be the first Mahanadu after Nara Lokesh was elevated as the party’s working president.The TDP planned to organise the three-day event from May 27 on a grand scale to mark Lokesh’s expanded role in the party hierarchy. However, the push for austerity appears to have triggered a rethink within the leadership. As per convention, the first day of Mahanadu is reserved for meetings of the party’s highest decision-making bodies, including the politburo, state and national executives. The leadership discusses the party’s political and organisational roadmap for the coming year, which is later deliberated in detail with delegates and representatives from the village to the state level.The final day usually culminates in a massive public meeting attended by lakhs of party supporters. Leaders estimate that nearly six to eight lakh people may participate in this year’s meeting. Given the soaring summer temperatures across the state, organisers are expected to deploy a large number of air-conditioners and cooling systems at the venue. Local public representatives have already blocked large numbers of hotel rooms and private accommodation facilities for leaders and delegates expected from across the state.Mahanadu has also earned a reputation over the years for its extravagant hospitality and elaborate food arrangements. Delegates are typically served dozens of food varieties, particularly non-vegetarian dishes, specially made sweets and ice-creams -- making the conclave as much a cultural event as a political gathering.A senior TDP leader said concerns were raised internally over the scale of expenditure during recent organising committee meetings hosted by Rajya Sabha MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy and his wife and MLA Prasanthi Reddy. “The hosts served nine to 10 varieties of non-veg dishes along with several varieties of ice-cream during the meetings held on Wednesday. We have suggested the leadership to cut down the costs and adopt a simpler approach for Mahanadu as well,” the senior leader said. Local legislator and chief host Prasanthi Reddy is believed to be making an all-out attempt to woo the party leadership with extragavanza arrangements.Sources said the Vemireddy couple expressed their willingness to shoulder the entire financial burden of Mahanadu right from making venues, roads, pandals, ACs, accommodation for VIPs, food and cultural events. The party had already constituted several committees to supervise the arrangements, many of whom have reached Nellore. “I think we can make a cut on costs by avoiding the frequenting of the venue by all the leaders. We have to devise a way out,” said a former minister.The party leadership is now said to be exploring “meaningful and visible” austerity measures that would align with chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s message while ensuring the party’s flagship annual event retains its political significance and organisational strength.Public meeting to be called off?The TDP is also said to be considering to call off the public meeting planned on the last day of the Mahanadu on May 29. A 500-acre site has been readied near the IFFCO Kisan SEZ at Kovur for the event. TDP state president Palla Srinivas Rao confirmed that discussions are underway. “There is an internal debate on whether to call off the final day public meeting in response to the Prime Minister’s appeal. As a ruling party and an NDA ally, we share responsibility for supporting austerity measures. A final decision will be taken after consultations with the chief minister and national working president Nara Lokesh,” he said.