It appears Telugu Desam Party general secretary and Andhra Pradesh information technology minister Nara Lokesh is making every attempt to appease Jana Sena Party president and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan to get the latter’s acceptance to succeed his father N Chandrababu Naidu.
Wherever there is an opportunity, Lokesh is trying to keep Pawan Kalyan in good humour and show enormous respect and affection towards the latter.
Right from the day of swearing-in ceremony, where Lokesh touched Pawan Kalyan’s feet, till the recent meeting where he hugged the Jana Sena chief in public, he sought to give an impression that he had tremendous respect for the coalition partner.
This is not only to convey the message to TDP and Jana Sena cadres that the coalition is perfect, but also to pre-empt any resistance from Jana Sena chief in the event of Naidu declaring him as the next chief ministerial candidate.
At an interactive session with students of JNTU, Kakinada on Friday, Lokesh spoke emotionally about his close bond with the Jana Sena chief, recalling the support extended to his family during one of their most challenging periods.
Responding to the queries from students on his political relationship within Jana Sena chief, Lokesh said he met Pawan Kalyan for the first time shortly after the 2014 election results.
He recalled that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had invited Pawan Kalyan for dinner, marking their first personal interaction.
Until then, Lokesh said, he had only seen Pawan Kalyan on the cinema screen.
“The turning point in their bond came in September 2023, when Chandrababu Naidu was arrested and shifted to Rajahmundry jail. Pawan Kalyan visited during that period and stood firmly by our family,” he said.
“The way he spoke to me and supported our family left a deep impact. I will remember it for my lifetime,” Lokesh said, becoming visibly emotional.
He also offered a reflective message to students: “People come around when everything is fine. But only a few stand with you when hardship strikes. Those are your true friends.”
The remarks once again highlight the strong personal rapport between Lokesh and Pawan Kalyan, a key factor in the cohesion of the current alliance government in Andhra Pradesh.