Date:26/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/26/stories/2005052610090400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Arrangements for TDP Mahanadu in full swing

Special Correspondent

Party sticks to its guns on Telangana issue

ALL GEARED UP: Telugu Desam leaders going round the Exhibition Grounds, the venue of the Mahanadu, in Hyderabad on Wednesday .

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam Party has begun hectic preparations for its annual Mahanadu from May 28 to 30, at the Exhibition Grounds here.

A large part of the grounds has been taken over and tin-sheets put up to accommodate 8,000 delegates who are expected to attend the Mahanadu. A special stage too has been readied. A large kitchen is being set up to cook food for the delegates.

"By tomorrow evening all arrangements will be in place", E. Peddi Reddy, party general secretary and in-charge of the facilities, told presspersons at the venue. Other TDP leaders present were G. Sukhender Reddy, Renuka and P. N. V. Prasad.

Focus on core issues

Replying to a question, Mr. Peddi Reddy said unlike in the past, resolutions to be discussed and adopted would be limited to 18 to 20. Besides the party's political stand, they would touch upon areas like agriculture, irrigation and welfare of weaker sections.

Backward regions

There would not be any change in the party's stand on separate Telangana and it would continue to stand by integrated State.

"We are for special steps to develop backward regions within the integrated State," he added.