Eye on 2014, Naidu sets out on foot across Andhra

In an attempt to regain the lost glory of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founded by his father-in-law NT Rama Rao on the plank of Telugu pride, the party’s chief and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has set out on a 117-day Padayatra. The party, which has remained out of power ever since Y S Rajasekhara Reddy brought the Congress party back in power in the state, is expecting a magic of sorts in 2014 elections. Naidu’s yatra would cover most of Andhra Pradesh particularly those areas where TDP is keen on improving its vote share.

During these 117 days 63-year-old Naidu would trek 2,340km covering 13 districts, including those in Telangana, Rayalaseema, coastal Andhra and North Andhra. On Tuesday, Naidu formally kicked off his padayatra from Hindupur in Anantapur district. He walked about 8km on day one.

It was the same yatra of almost the same distance taken up by YSR in 2003 that had ensured Naidu’s defeat the next year. Apart from garnering sympathy for touring the state on foot, the opportunity to personally interact with people en route had ensured YSR’s victory in 2004 elections. Losing power after being the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh for about nine years, Naidu has been scouting for a strategy that would unseat the Congress again.

“The padayatra is not for politics or election. The party needs to reach the people to tell them how the ruling Congress has been indulging in scams, and also explain to them how the TDP rule was different,” Naidu had said before leaving Hyderabad.