Mahanadu is expected to adopt a resolution naming Lokesh as the party’s vice-president, which would dispel any lingering doubts about who will step into Chandrababu Naidu’s shoes when he decides to retire.
Published May 27, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated May 27, 2025 | 8:36 AM
Since the TDP-led government came to power, a subtle but consistent effort has been made to project Lokesh as the second most important figure in the government.
Synopsis: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is expected to signal Nara Lokesh’s rise as heir apparent to party supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at its annual Mahanadu conclave beginning 27 May. The event, being held in Kadapa district for the first time since the party’s return to power, may adopt a resolution appointing Lokesh as party vice-president and delegate him significant responsibilities.
The time appears to have arrived for the ordination of Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, Nara Lokesh, as the heir-apparent to his father and Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu. With Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, as Deputy Chief Minister, trying to expand his support base, TDP hopes to cement Lokesh’s position as Naidu’s ‘successor’.
The three-day Telugu Desam Party (TDP) annual conclave – Mahanadu – beginning on Tuesday, 27 May, will be a seminal event for the party in this regard.
The TDP’s jamboree is being organised on 150 acres of land in CK Dinne mandal in Kadapa, for the first time since the party returned to power in alliance with Jana Sena and the BJP, securing a landslide victory in the June 2024 Assembly elections and inflicting a humiliating defeat on the then ruling YSRCP.
The party is aiming to mobilise a crowd of five lakh. Mahanadu is organised every year from 27 to 29 May, in memory of party founder NT Rama Rao on his birth anniversary, which falls on 28 May.
The choice of Kadapa district – the home turf of YSRCP chief and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy – for the annual conclave is seen as the TDP’s way of telling its adversary that not only is he down, but he is also out, and that the future belongs to the TDP and Lokesh.
Chandrababu Naidu and Lokesh are expected to arrive at the venue on Monday evening. There will be a major public meeting on 29 May, which Naidu, among others, will address.
Now that the TDP-led NDA is firmly in the saddle in the state, it is time to plan for the continuity of Chandrababu Naidu’s legacy, in light of his advanced age (Naidu turned 75 in April this year).
The elephant in the room was visible from the outset – even before the Assembly elections – when Lokesh had taken centre stage in the party.
With his Yuva Galam – a marathon padyatra across the state – he galvanised the youth into action. Lokesh’s padyatra is considered one of the major factors in the party’s scintillating electoral success.
Mahanadu is expected to adopt a resolution naming Lokesh as the party’s working president, which would dispel any lingering doubts about who will step into Chandrababu Naidu’s shoes when he decides to retire.
As is customary in the TDP, the proposals of the party chief are always discussed in internal fora before official announcements are made.
At the mini-Mahanadus held in all districts as a warm-up for the state-level conclave, the proposal to make Nara Lokesh the vice-president was put forward, to ensure unanimity – though dissent is rare in a party like the TDP.
The three-day conclave, according to sources, is set to deliberate on six guiding principles drawn up by Lokesh for the advancement of both the party and the government.
These principles include prioritising party workers, promoting the global Telugu community, empowering women, ensuring social justice for deserving sections, serving the poor, and supporting farmers.
The Mahanadu delegates’ session, which will follow immediately after the party president’s inaugural address on 27 May, is expected to deliberate on and adopt these six principles.
This will be followed by the customary ritual of electing the party president. Needless to say, no one is expected to file a nomination against Chandrababu Naidu.
And even if someone does, ostensibly to maintain the appearance of democratic process, all nominations will be withdrawn, paving the way for Naidu’s unanimous re-election.
Mahanadu will also authorise the delegation of significant powers and responsibilities to Lokesh, including near-total supervision of the party.
As Chandrababu Naidu must liaise with the Centre to secure funds for implementing his dream projects, Lokesh is expected to share party responsibilities, though the final decision-making authority will remain with Naidu.
Since the TDP-led government came to power, a subtle but consistent effort has been made to project Lokesh as the second most important figure in the government.
However, technically, Pawan Kalyan holds that position, as he has been appointed Deputy Chief Minister.
As the head of Jana Sena, Pawan Kalyan played a key role in the TDP-led NDA’s return to power, leveraging his mass appeal as an actor.
Since Pawan Kalyan leads a different party, the TDP has no qualms about projecting Lokesh as No 2 within its own ranks.
But, in the context of the government, the party must tread carefully. Any overt attempt to elevate Lokesh above Pawan Kalyan could hurt the latter’s sentiments and strain the alliance.
The TDP has been careful not to step on Pawan Kalyan’s toes, but the Jana Sena chief – no political novice – has clearly noticed the shifting dynamics.
He has asserted himself through characteristic actions, such as publicly questioning the government’s leniency towards YSRCP leaders and even challenging Home Minister Anita to take action or risk losing her portfolio.
Subsequently, he positioned himself as a proponent of Sanatana Dharma, perhaps in an attempt to present himself as a leader of ideological substance, potentially overshadowing Lokesh.
Despite this, the TDP has continued to promote Lokesh in government affairs, albeit discreetly.
First, the optics: both the party and the government have ensured that Lokesh receives substantial media coverage, with a packed schedule of public engagements.
Although he does not head the Industries Department, he continues to dominate the narrative in that space.
As Minister for IT, Lokesh capitalises on the overlap between the IT and industrial sectors. All major industrial developments in Andhra Pradesh are publicly associated with him.
Recently, he even skipped a cabinet meeting to attend the bhoomi pooja ceremony for LG Electronics’ expansion project in Sri City, in the erstwhile Chittoor district.
He plays a prominent role in attracting investment from IT giants like TCS. When Ratan Tata passed away, it was Lokesh – not Pawan Kalyan – who accompanied Naidu to Mumbai to pay respects to the legendary industrialist, despite Kalyan being the Deputy Chief Minister.
For Naidu, steering the TDP and the government forward, keeping Pawan Kalyan and the BJP leadership appeased, while grooming Lokesh as his successor, is more challenging than a trapeze act in a circus.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
