Amaravati, May 27 (IANS) In a significant move, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national working president Nara Lokesh on Wednesday proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in TDP for the 2029 elections.

He made the proposal on the first day of Mahanadu, the annual conclave of the TDP.

He declared that whether the women’s reservation bill is passed or not passed in the Parliament, the party would allot 33 per cent of the tickets to women.

In what is claimed to be the first of its kind move by any political party in the country, Lokesh made the announcement in his maiden address at Mahanadu as the national working president of the party.

Lokesh, who is the son of TDP national president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, said that the next era of Indian politics must belong to women’s leadership.

“Women must not remain mere beneficiaries in politics. They must become decision-makers and leaders shaping India’s future. TDP will lead from the front. This is not a slogan – it is our commitment,” he said.

The proposal is likely to be passed by Mahanadu after a debate.

With this year’s Mahanadu themed around “Stree Shakti”, the announcement is being seen as a major political and ideological commitment towards women-led leadership and gender equality in Indian politics.

The party has also recently elevated women’s representation within its own organisational structure by appointing MP Byreddy Shabari as its first woman National General Secretary, a move widely seen as part of the party’s broader push towards strengthening women’s leadership.

The party said in a statement that over the last few years, Lokesh has consistently focused on women’s empowerment across sectors, from introducing progressive changes in education and textbooks to repeatedly advocating respect and dignity for women within political and social spaces.

Lokesh said he strongly believes that the next era of Indian politics must belong to women’s leadership.

He said the NDA government had already taken a historic step by bringing the Women’s Reservation Bill and stressed that women must not remain mere beneficiaries of welfare schemes but should become active decision-makers in governance and politics.

He said opposition parties had attempted to create obstacles to women’s empowerment by rejecting the Women’s Reservation Bill. In contrast, he asserted that the Telugu Desam Party believes in empowerment both in principle and in practice.

Lokesh, who is also a state minister, stated that the country needs more women lawmakers, women leaders and women policymakers. He said the future of the Telugu Desam Party would be led shoulder to shoulder by women and termed the proposal as the party’s resolve, responsibility and commitment towards building a stronger and more inclusive political future.

Lokesh addressed the conclave, which began at TDP’s central office in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. “Whether offline or online… Mahanadu is always a massive gathering. Ours is always the policy of “Nation First”. That’s why, following the Prime Minister’s guidance, we’re conducting Mahanadu in a hybrid format,” he said.

The two-day Mahanadu began with the address by TDP national president and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

TDP state president Palla Srinivasa Rao, politburo members, ministers and other top leaders are attending the Mahanadu.

–IANS

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