MANGALAGIRI, Sept. 9, 2026: Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh called on NRI Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members to work collectively to ensure the NDA’s victory in the 2029 elections and make the Telugu community a global leader. He was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the NRI TDP Central Committee executive at the TDP central office in Mangalagiri. NRI Empowerment and Relations Minister Kondapalli Srinivas administered the oath to the newly elected committee members, while Dr. P. Gururaja took oath as Global NRI TDP president.
Lokesh said Telugu people had established a presence across the world and described former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao as the symbol of Telugu self-respect. He said NTR had introduced major reforms in politics and opened opportunities for educated and intellectual people. Lokesh credited TDP president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with carrying forward NTR’s vision. He noted that the 2024 elections saw young candidates winning about half of the seats and said the TDP had also given opportunities to seven NRIs, including Union Minister and Guntur MP Pemmasani Chandrasekhar.
‘NRIs Stood With CBN During Difficult Times’
Lokesh recalled the support extended by NRIs during the 2019-24 period, particularly during the Amaravati movement and Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest. He said NRIs organised programmes in 200 cities across 50 countries following Naidu’s arrest and supported the “I Am With CBN” campaign. Some NRIs, he said, spent thousands of dollars to travel to Andhra Pradesh, took leave from their jobs and worked in villages to mobilise public support ahead of the 2024 elections.
Describing NRIs as “most reliable Indians,” Lokesh praised their continued connection with Telugu culture and their contributions to their native villages and educational institutions. He said many NRIs had invested substantially in improving schools where they had studied and were ensuring that their children remained connected with the Telugu language and culture.
‘NRIs Should Become Ambassadors for AP’
Lokesh said the TDP had stood by Telugu people during crises even when it was not in power, citing assistance provided during floods in Uttarakhand, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and last year’s crisis in Nepal. He described NRIs as “brand ambassadors” of the Telugu community and urged them to encourage the companies they work for to consider Andhra Pradesh as an investment destination. He said NRIs should actively participate in the state’s development and help attract more investments to Andhra Pradesh.
The minister also called for a major expansion of the NRI TDP network and urged members to connect with the “My TDP” app. He asked Dr. Gururaja to ensure that NRI TDP committees are established wherever at least 10 Telugu people are present. Lokesh said existing committees should be completed within the next 30 days, with deserving party workers given opportunities.
Lokesh Urges Collective Effort for 2029
Referring to Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest three years ago, Lokesh alleged that the former chief minister had been arrested in a politically motivated case and said corruption allegations against him had not been proved. He recalled the protests organised by Telugu people in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and other cities in support of Naidu.
Lokesh called on TDP and NRI supporters to commemorate the 53 days of Naidu’s alleged incarceration by lighting 53 candles at their homes. He said Naidu had consistently worked for the advancement of the Telugu community and urged party supporters to stand firmly behind him. “The responsibility of ensuring the NDA’s victory in the 2029 elections rests with all of us,” Lokesh said, calling for a united effort to strengthen the party and accelerate Andhra Pradesh’s development.
