Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was elected as president of Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) central committee on the last day of its three-day 'Mahanadu' conclave which concluded here on Friday.
The central committee, which is the TDP's apex body, has been formed as part of the requirement to emerge as a "national party".
Naidu's name as president of the central committee was announced by the TDP's election committee conveners and he was administered an oath at the conclave.
Naidu became TDP president in 1995 and has been holding the post since then.
The TDP decided to become a "national party" in the wake of the bifurcation of the erstwhile undivided state of Andhra Pradesh, in order to function effectively in both the residual state of present day Andhra Pradesh as well as the newly formed state of Telangana.
The TDP said that it would try to have a presence in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka as well as Orissa where there are considerable populations of Telugu-speaking people.
Naidu said at his speech at the conclave that the TDP would work for the welfare of all Indians with a spirit of patriotism and nationalism.
Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister and senior TDP leader Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said that there would be no change in the party's symbol (bicycle) and the party's name even if it became a "national party".
"There need not be any doubts. As per symbol allotment rules, our symbol bicycle has full protection. Even if our party becomes a national party, our symbol will not change. We need to clarify," Ramakrishnudu said.
"Some have doubts if a new name would be given to the TDP. The name given by our leader NT Rama Rao which is Telugu Desam Party would remain. I would like to inform you that there is no need to give a new name to the party as per rules as well," Ramakrishnudu, who heads the TDP committee to look into the issue of emerging as a national party, said.
