In a first-of-its-kind political announcement in the country, the Telugu Desam Party has decided to implement 33% reservation for women within the party in the 2029 general elections.
TDP working president Nara Lokesh made the announcement while addressing party leaders on Day 1 of Mahanadu 2026 at the party office in Mangalagiri.
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.
“Irrespective of whether the 33% quota for women is implemented through legislation in Parliament or not, the TDP will implement the quota on a party basis in the 2029 general elections,” Lokesh said in his speech.
The proposal comes at a time when the Women’s Reservation Bill continues to face political hurdles and opposition resistance in Parliament.
TDP’s move is now being viewed as an attempt to lead by example rather than wait for a national political consensus.
The party has also recently increased women’s representation within its organisational structure by appointing MP Byreddy Shabari as its first woman National General Secretary, a move widely seen as part of its broader push to strengthen women’s leadership.
Over the last few years, Nara 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 in political and social spaces.
Addressing the gathering, Lokesh said he strongly believes that the next era of Indian politics must belong to women leaders.
He said the NDA government had already taken a historic step by bringing the Women’s Reservation Bill and stressed that women should not remain mere beneficiaries of welfare schemes, but become active decision-makers in governance and politics.
He said opposition parties had tried 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.
Calling for decisive action, Lokesh said the TDP should lead from the front. From the Mahanadu stage, he proposed that the Telugu Desam Party allocate 33% of its seats to women in the 2029 elections. He described it not as a slogan, but as a commitment to the future of India.
Lokesh further 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 the party’s resolve, responsibility and commitment towards building a stronger and more inclusive political future.
