TDP leaders seem to believe there is a need to promote Lokesh on par with Pawan Kalyan since the latter has been acting independently of the government lately.
Published Jan 22, 2025 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 22, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Chandrababu, Pawan Kalyan, and Nara Lokesh. (Supplied)
The unofficial but simmering tussle between Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Information Technology Minister and TDP scion Nara Lokesh is becoming shriller by the day.
The latest cause for friction is the growing demand from the TDP cadres to make Lokesh, son of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the deputy chief minister.
TDP leaders seem to believe there is a need to promote Lokesh on par with Pawan Kalyan since the latter has been acting independently of the government lately.
While indications are clear that Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan is positioning himself as a leader to reckon with after Naidu, the TDP is keen to restore the power equilibrium.
Jana Sena activists fear that the TDP is demanding to make Lokesh the deputy chief minister only to pave the way for his ascension to the chief minister’s position when Chandrababu Naidu hangs up his shoes or confines himself to guiding his son in administration and politics.
It was TDP politburo member R Srinivasa Reddy who brought the demand to the fore. Former minister and incumbent MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy followed up by seconding it.
TDP leaders including Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker K Raghurama Krishna Raju, and former MLA SVSN Varma began speaking in similar voices.
Industries Minister TG Bharat, who is part of Chandrababu Naidu’s delegation to Davos, raised the issue at the NRIs’ conclave there and said that Lokesh is the future chief minister.
Pawan Kalyan is trying to emerge as a leader and would not remain a subservient deputy chief minister is clear. He has been targeting the government regardless of the fact he is part of it, apparently to build an image for himself that he is on equal footing with Naidu.
His attempt to project himself as a parallel leader to Naidu is spurring the demand from TDP cadres to make Lokesh the deputy chief minister, to clip Pawan Kalyan’s wings.
“This is more or less a move to check the formation of a second power centre in the government,” a TDP leader told South First.
The TDP’s demand to elevate Nara Lokesh is seen as an indication of the party’s bigwigs granting tacit approval. It is also being interpreted as a move to unravel the probable reactions from Pawan Kalyan and decide on what should be done next.
Surprisingly, the reaction from Jana Sena to the demand for the elevation of Lokesh has been muted. Second-rung leaders like Tirupati-based Kiran Rayal were among the few who reacted by saying that there was nothing wrong with them desiring to see Pawan Kalyan as the chief minister.
“Whether the TDP would make Lokesh deputy chief minister or not is an internal issue of the TDP. But we want to see Pawan Kalyan as the chief minister of the state,” he said.
Political analysts aver that the reason for the lack of adequate political response from Jana Sena is the disconnect that happened between the top leaders and the cadre since the time the coalition came to power some months ago.
Not one minister, MP or MLA from Jana Sena reacted to the demand for promotion of Lokesh.
According to sources in the know of thinking within Jana Sena, Pawan Kalyan has been advised to immediately call for a party meeting involving important leaders from across the state.
“It is important for the junior partner to convey to the big brother (TDP) that it (Jana Sena) cannot be taken for granted and provocative statements are best avoided in the interests of all,” a Jana Sena leader said.
On his part, Lokesh, currently at Davos brushed aside the demand for his elevation. “My hands are full,” he said in a chat with a channel.
And quiet flows the Krishna as the two parties indulge in shadow-boxing.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
