TDP cancels Nellore Mahanadu, shifts to hybrid format citing energy conservation

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has cancelled its proposed Mahanadu event in Nellore and will instead adopt a hybrid model aimed at reducing expenditure and conserving energy resources, party Andhra Pradesh president Palla Srinivasa Rao said on Sunday.

Speaking to the media during his visit to Visakhapatnam, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the decision was taken in line with the broader emphasis on energy conservation and with the concurrence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He said the party leadership also drew inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on efficient use of resources.

He recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the party had successfully conducted a virtual Mahanadu, demonstrating its ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that conducting Mahanadu in its conventional format would typically involve an expenditure of ₹5–10 crore and the movement of nearly 10,000 vehicles, making it a resource-intensive exercise. In view of these logistical and environmental considerations, the party has decided to restructure the event.

Under the revised hybrid model, Mahanadu will be organised in a decentralised manner at the constituency level. To ensure wider participation, arrangements are being made for live telecast through 1,848 large screens across various locations, allowing party workers, supporters, and the general public to follow the proceedings in real time.

He added that a committee of 68 senior leaders at the party’s national headquarters would oversee and provide strategic direction during the event. The party, he said, aims to ensure greater outreach while minimising costs and improving accessibility through the new format.