Countdown begins for 'Mahanadu'

Tirupati, May 25 (UNI) The temple town of Tirupati wears a 'yellow look' as the countdown began for the three-day 'Mahanadu' of the Telugu Desam Party to be held at the Municipal High School grounds from May 27.

The temple city has been the launch pad for most of TDP's major campaigns and programmes like 'Rs 2 per kg rice scheme' and anti-arrack movement.

It was from here that the party founder and former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao and his successor N Chandrababu Naidu launched their campaigns for all elections. The previous TDP's plenary was also held here in 2003.

A large number of cut-outs of Mr Rama Rao fondly called NTR during his career as an actor and Mr Naidu are being put up at municipal grounds and at the public meeting venue of Tarakarama stadium where about one lakh people are expected to attend.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh, former Haryana Chief Minister Omprakash Choutala and AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalitha are among the leaders who are expected to attend the public meeting on the last day of the 'Mahanadu'.

The TDP top brass including its Supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and politburo members and about 10,000 delegates from all over the state were expected to attend the party plenum.

'Telugu Mahila' and 'Telugu Yuvatha' cadres are overseeing the arrangments while 500 volunteers are working round-the clock, the sources added.

UNI