With Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan calling shots in the Chandrababu Naidu government and dictating terms to the coalition, a demand is gaining ground within the Telugu Desam Party for making Naidu’s son and state IT minister Nara Lokesh as the deputy chief minister.
For the first time, TDP leader Mahasena Rajesh came up with the demand for making Lokesh as the deputy chief minister keeping in view the future needs of the party and the government. Rajesh, who frequently stirs debates through his YouTube videos, brought this issue to the limelight.
According to him, Lokesh has already earned recognition as a versatile minister in TDP and has the eligibility to become the deputy chief minister.
“While nepotism is wrong, denying opportunities based on lineage is equally wrong,” he said.
He expressed his dissatisfaction over Lokesh being seated away during coalition meetings and being inadvertently pushed aside by Pawan Kalyan’s security in a recent incident.
Rajesh revealed that he had previously suggested Lokesh as the future chief minister of TDP, citing the party’s prospects.
He also questioned why Lokesh, after being widely used for election campaigns, is now being sidelined from significant roles.
He firmly stated that denying the Deputy CM post to Lokesh merely because he is Chandrababu Naidu’s son is unfair.
He argued that Lokesh should be considered on par with other ministers, recognizing his contributions to the party.
Rajesh also warned that if this situation continues, it would be disheartening for party members inspired by Lokesh’s leadership.
He urged the politburo members to announce Lokesh as Deputy CM, drawing parallels to the Congress party’s downfall due to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi staying away from top posts.