Congress Party Splits and Political Unrest
The Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh faced internal splits in 1969 and 1978, leading to frequent changes in Chief Ministers. These political disruptions resulted in growing public dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership in the state.
Rise of T. Anjaiah
T. Anjaiah, hailing from Medak district in Telangana, began his career as a laborer at Allwyn Company in Hyderabad. Over time, he emerged as a significant labor leader and eventually entered politics. He later became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Rajiv Gandhi’s Visit and Public Outrage
During T. Anjaiah’s tenure as Chief Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, who was then the General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, visited Hyderabad. During the visit, Rajiv Gandhi reportedly insulted Anjaiah, an incident that triggered widespread public anger in the state.
N.T. Rama Rao’s Political Emergence
In 1982, veteran actor N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), who had been previously denied a Rajya Sabha seat by the Congress Party, saw the Anjaiah-Rajiv Gandhi incident as an opportunity to challenge the Congress. He capitalized on public sentiment to mobilize support, a move that played a crucial role in shaping his political career and the eventual formation of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).