Big Trouble in TDP NRI Wing? Women Members Quit APNRT Posts!
The appointments to the TDP NRI Global Committee and APNRT are now creating a major controversy within the Telugu Desam Party. There is widespread criticism that these appointments are being made according to the wishes of certain individuals rather than keeping the interests of the party in mind. The appointment of P. Gururaja as President of Global NRI TDP has itself triggered considerable controversy within the party. Party sources say that Nara Lokesh, the party’s National General Secretary and Minister, played a key role in this appointment. Meanwhile, controversy has now erupted over the appointments made by Vemuri Ravi, the President of APNRT. Recently, a large number of Global and Regional Coordinators were appointed on behalf of NRT. Under the rules, APNRTS is legally required to function as a completely non-political organization and prohibits political campaigning and party promotion. Despite this, more than ten members of the TDP NRI Women’s Wing were appointed as coordinators.
Against this backdrop, reliable sources have revealed that Shivani Jagarlamudi, President of the TDP NRI Wing in the United States, wrote a letter a few days ago to party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, stating that they could not take up the responsibilities of APNRT coordinators. In her letter, she stated that their work and identity have been completely associated with the Telugu Desam Party for many years. Following Chandrababu Naidu’s call to turn crises into opportunities, they stood outside consulates to protest during his alleged unjust arrest, conducted campaign activities in 2024, and continued community service through Anna Canteens—all in support of the Telugu Desam Party. She said that since the NRI Women’s Wing was established, hundreds of members have devoted their hearts, time, and unwavering commitment to the party without seeking any positions, titles, or personal recognition. She clarified that their request for representation in the NRI TDP Central Committee was not an attempt to seek recognition or status, but an earnest request to take on greater responsibility and serve the motherland and the party more effectively.
The recent APNRTS circular titled “APNRTS Activities: Beyond Politics” once again made clear what has been the reality since the NRI Women’s Wing was established. APNRTS is legally required to remain a completely non-political organization and prohibits political campaigning and party promotion. Therefore, she said that, out of respect for the rules laid down by the government, their members had no option but to step down from the APNRTS coordinator positions. Giving up these positions would ensure that APNRTS strictly adheres to its non-political mandate, while allowing their team to devote its full energy and time to the Telugu Desam Party, where they have always been active. Currently, there are more than 40 members in the NRI TDP Central Committee, of whom only 15 represent the United States. More than 1.23 million Telugu people live in the United States. Including a proven and disciplined group such as the NRI Women’s Wing in the Central Committee would further strengthen the committee, bridge the representation gap, and serve as a permanent and active link between the Telugu diaspora in the United States and the party leadership, she stated in her letter. TDP leaders say that Vemuri Ravi is not only making these appointments at his discretion but is also running APNRT affairs according to his wishes, allegedly with the support of senior government leaders. A senior minister revealed that, along with P. Gururaja, Vemuri Ravi has now emerged as a key figure behind the scenes in party affairs.
