Forty-two years after its establishment, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has vanished from Telangana. The influence of movie stars in the state has also gradually weakened after the bifurcation of the Telugu States a decade ago.
Once a significant force in Telangana, the TDP, founded by matinee idol N.T. Rama Rao, now has no trace in the state. The last actor to attempt his luck in politics was Babu Mohan, who won the Andole (SC) Assembly constituency in 2014 but lost in 2018. In the 2023 elections, contesting on a BJP ticket, Mohan secured only a modest 5,524 votes.
Reshma Rathod aka Reshma Bai Bhukiya, another film personality who tried her luck, fared even worse in the 2018 elections. She polled only 1,025 votes (0.65% vote share) from the Wyra (ST) constituency, a particularly embarrassing outing considering 2,360 voters opted for NOTA (none of the above) instead.
The absence of actors in the current political landscape is a stark contrast to the past when they played a vital role in campaigning. This was tragically demonstrated when actor Soundarya was killed in 2004 while campaigning for BJP stalwart Ch. Vidyasagar Rao in Karimnagar.
However, in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, movie stars continue to hold political sway. The Jana Sena Party is led by Pawan Kalyan, while the TDP has actor Nandamuri Balakrishna in its ranks. The ruling YSRCP includes R.K. Roja, who currently serves as the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Youth Advancement and is contesting from Nagari.
In conclusion, while the TDP has become a relic of the past in Telangana, movie stars retain their influence in Andhra Pradesh politics, highlighting the contrasting political landscapes of the two states.
