HYDERABAD: Making a politically significant departure, the Telugu Desam Party is toying with the idea of maintaining `strategic silence' on its avowed stand on integrated State, at its three-day silver jubilee Mahanadu beginning in Tirupati on May 27.

The proposal to keep its stand under wraps this time, on the issue that has been bothering the party for some time now, it is believed to have come up during the preparatory meetings held among the senior leaders to draft about 15 resolutions for the Mahanadu.

Ray of hope

There is strong likelihood of the move finding its way into Mahanadu's agenda but perceptions vary. While leaders from Telangana see in it, a ray of hope for the party sending a message of keeping its political options open on the contentious issue of separate Telangana, those of other regions say it was merely intended to avoid reiteration of its known stand.

Apart from verbal wrestling over Telangana issue, the Mahanadu is expected to take a close look at the alternative economic policy proposed by the party, hammer out a strategy of winning back sections that moved away and gear up the party machinery to face next elections.

For some months now, almost at every forum, party president N. Chandrababu Naidu has been focussing on the fact that the benefits of 15- year- old economic reforms has not percolated down to the grassroots. Emphasising on the need for a course correction or looking at an alternative economic policy with focus on reaching out to poor, leftout sections, he had already constituted a committee headed by senior leader, T. Devender Goud.

Running theme

Mr. Goud and another senior leader, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told The Hindu , that while reviewing the party's work and the Congress Government's omissions and commissions, a running theme of the resolutions would be on attracting sections like farmers, weaker sections, minorities, working class and women. "We will debate and chalk out a winning strategy", Mr. Ramakrishnudu said.

"The process has already begun and it is reflected in the way the party is winning back the confidence of the minorities after severing our ties with BJP. Similar efforts would be made to turn farmers, workers and weaker sections to our side. We will capitalise on the fact that none of these sections is happy with the Government", Mr. Goud said. Time would be earmarked for preparing the cadre for the next elections that is just about a couple of years away.

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