In a major organisational overhaul, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has announced its new Politburo, National, and State Committees, marking a strategic reset ahead of future electoral challenges and firmly positioning Nara Lokesh as the party’s key next-generation leader. Lokesh has been appointed as the National Working President, a move widely seen as placing him at the centre of the party’s organisational leadership and outlining a clear roadmap for succession.
The development comes as the party looks to consolidate its structure and prepare for long-term political goals, including the 2029 Assembly elections.
Alongside this, MLA Palla Srinivas has been named the State President, completing what party insiders describe as a carefully calibrated leadership alignment aimed at strengthening the cadre base and streamlining decision-making.
In a notable first, MP Byreddy Shabari has been appointed as the party’s National General Secretary, becoming the first woman to hold the position in TDP’s history. She will serve alongside MPs Ram Mohan Naidu and Rajesh Kilaru.
The newly announced structure comprises a 29-member Politburo, a 31-member National Committee, and a 185-member State Committee. Party sources said that the committees were formed post-extensive internal consultations, with a focus on balancing social representation, regional diversity, and political experience.
A major emphasis has been placed on inclusivity. Of the 185 members in the State Committee, 122 belong to weaker sections, including 77 from Backward Classes, 25 from Scheduled Castes, 7 from Scheduled Tribes, and 13 from minority communities. Party leaders said the composition broadly reflects population ratios, aiming to ensure equitable participation across communities.
In another first, grassroots-level leaders have been elevated to the highest decision-making body. Mandal Party President Gantyada Sridevi and Cluster In-charge Guttikonda Dhanunjay have been inducted into the Politburo, signalling a shift towards greater recognition of cadre-level leadership.
The restructuring exercise bears the imprint of Lokesh’s leadership approach, building on the vision articulated during the Kadapa Mahanadu, where the slogan “Cadre is the leader” was emphasised. The move is seen as an attempt to operationalise that vision by opening leadership pathways for grassroots workers.
Lokesh, son of TDP chief and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has steadily risen within the party ranks, having served as general secretary since 2015 and as a minister between 2017 and 2019, before taking on key responsibilities in the current government.
Party insiders view the latest organisational revamp as a forward-looking move aimed at building a robust and inclusive structure while ensuring leadership continuity. With trusted associates being given prominent roles, the changes are widely interpreted as laying the groundwork for a structured leadership transition ahead of the next Assembly elections.
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