The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has once again passed a unanimous resolution at its annual conclave, Mahanadu 2026, demanding the Bharat Ratna—India’s highest civilian award—for its legendary founder, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR). Speaking at the event, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu praised NTR as a monumental leader who epitomised the self-respect of the Telugu people. Alongside this, the party also made a progressive move by committing to a 33% internal reservation for women in party posts and the upcoming 2029 assembly elections, following a proposal by Nara Lokesh.
Despite being a recurring tradition at Mahanadu for the past three decades, the demand for NTR’s Bharat Ratna has historically remained unfulfilled due to shifting political dynamics. In the past, even when Chandrababu Naidu played a crucial “kingmaker” role in the United Front and Vajpayee-led NDA governments, the top honour eluded the TDP founder. The party rank and file (cadre) have often expressed frustration over the delay, noting that past political opportunities were not fully capitalised upon to secure the award.
However, the political landscape in 2026 positions the TDP with unprecedented leverage, as the survival of the current Modi-led central government depends heavily on Chandrababu Naidu’s support. With such substantial influence in New Delhi, the party cadre strongly believes that if Naidu cannot secure the Bharat Ratna for NTR now, it may never happen, reducing future efforts to mere repetitive resolutions. The party’s supporters are urging the leadership to move beyond formal declarations and actively pressure the central government to announce the award by NTR’s next birth anniversary.
