Chandrababu Naidu is slowly giving Lokesh more independence in party affairs. Consequently, there is internal discussion about formally handing over complete responsibility to Lokesh.
Published Jun 02, 2025 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 02, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Lokesh Nara. (X)
Synopsis: During the recent Mahanadu of the TDP, Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh was the central attraction. As a third-generation leader, he succeeded in instilling confidence that he is capable of taking up party responsibilities. Lokesh currently serves under Naidu’s shadow. Therefore, some believe it’s time to officially name him the party’s successor.
Widespread speculation on social media in recent times suggests that there is a growing disillusionment among the public and party cadre regarding the coalition government led by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh.
Since the party workers faced several hardships during YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rule, they have been nursing higher hopes and expectations from the current government. As a result, even minor missteps by the government are met with strong reactions on social media platforms.
TDP members have not hesitated to openly criticise Chandrababu Naidu. Furthermore, the delay in implementing some key welfare schemes has led political analysts to wonder whether public resentment is indeed building up. Making note of these developments, Jagan Reddy appears to be growing hopeful that genuine public dissatisfaction has begun and that he might regain power after four years.
However, the recently concluded Mahanadu in Kadapa has proven that there is no truth to this narrative.
Political party meetings are nothing new. However, the TDP’s Mahanadu holds a distinct identity. With thousands of delegates participating regularly, Mahanadu is celebrated like a festival. NT Rama Rao (NTR), who founded the TDP in 1982, initiated the tradition of organising Mahanadu. Whether in power or not, the party has consistently conducted the event.
Another significant takeaway from Mahanadu was the emergence of Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh as the central attraction. As a third-generation leader, he succeeded in instilling confidence that he is capable of taking up party responsibilities. His speech radiated self-confidence — a quality that wasn’t as evident in his earlier appearances. In the past, he struggled somewhat with fluency in Telugu and public speaking.
Recently, Lokesh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi along with his family and spent two hours with him. During the meeting, Modi acknowledged the change he observed in Lokesh and said, “You show maturity now. Confidence resonates in your speech. I can clearly see the improvement. Earlier, you faltered, but now, you speak fluently.”
Modi also advised Lokesh to step out of Naidu’s shadow and grow independently.
Modi’s observation is accurate. Compared to the past, Lokesh has now matured significantly. Frankly, Chandrababu’s speeches have never been particularly captivating. He lacks the oratorical flair. But Lokesh, who once stumbled through his Telugu, can speak it fluently now. His language and delivery have improved markedly. His body language also reflects renewed self-assurance. Clearly, this is the result of persistent practice.
In recent years, no leader has endured as much ridicule as Lokesh. Jagan Reddy and his allies systematically targeted him with insults — mocking his intellect, ridiculing his language, and even making vile comments about his birth.
Ordinarily, such humiliation would break a person. However, Lokesh endured it all, stayed focused on his goal, and worked tirelessly to prove himself. He responded to body-shaming by disciplining his diet and silencing critics.
It is natural for those who hold the second positions in politics to become targets. When NTR was the leader, Naidu was constantly targeted by the Congress. Even when he underwent treatment for a skin condition, they mocked him. However, the insults faced by Lokesh are far greater than those faced by Naidu.
By remaining accessible to party workers and leaders, Naidu has carried NTR’s legacy forward. After losing the 1983 election from Chandragiri, he shifted to the safe Kuppam constituency. However, Lokesh didn’t follow that route.
He contested for the first time from the challenging Mangalagiri constituency and lost. Many had opined that he should have picked a safer seat. Since 1983, TDP has won Mangalagiri only three or four times. Yet, with unwavering determination, Lokesh contested from Mangalagiri again — and this time, won with a massive majority of over 91,000 votes. This victory is a reflection of his grit and resolve.
Given this background, several leaders proposed during Mahanadu that Lokesh should be appointed as the party’s working president. Even though he currently holds the position of national general secretary, Lokesh has already taken on most responsibilities in the party. With Naidu busy running the government, Lokesh is handling party affairs. Senior leaders are beginning to recognise his leadership, and, among the cadres, confidence in Lokesh has been rising.
Meanwhile, Naidu is slowly giving Lokesh more independence in party affairs. Consequently, there is internal discussion about formally handing over complete responsibility to Lokesh.
Given Naidu’s current obligations as the chief minister, why not appoint Lokesh as the party’s national president? If not today, eventually he would be the party chief. If the transition is made while Naidu is still active, it will be smoother.
Lokesh currently serves under Naidu’s shadow. Therefore, some believe it’s time to officially name him the party’s successor. Naidu reportedly supports this idea.
However, Lokesh seems cautious, not wanting to give the impression that he is usurping leadership while his father remains active and healthy.
NTR remained as TDP president for only 13 years. Naidu, in contrast, has been leading it for over 30 years — navigating countless political upheavals and keeping the party intact.
If Lokesh assumes responsibility under Naidu’s guidance, it could build trust among both the cadre and the public. One proposal suggests forming a party praesidium with Naidu as its chairman, to avoid the impression that he has cut ties with TDP.
No one knows the precise auspicious moment when NT Rama Rao founded the TDP, but even after four decades, the party has remained unshaken. A new generation has now stepped into the party, and it is Naidu’s responsibility to instil confidence in them about the party’s future. Naidu belongs to the previous generation; Lokesh represents the current one.
Naidu is known for his cautious and deliberative decision-making style, whereas Lokesh is more decisive and acts swiftly, in tune with the times. At the same time, he is also open to the advice of seniors and experienced leaders.
He is prepared to take on Jagan Reddy head-on, without hesitation. Lokesh understands what the consequences could be if, for any reason, Jagan Reddy returns to power in 2029. Yet, he is moving forward with a determined “no backing down” attitude.
Naidu has the responsibility to instil belief among the party cadre that the future of the TDP is safe in Lokesh’s hands. This is, in fact, the right time for Lokesh to steer the TDP under Naidu’s guidance. The party is currently strong, and public resentment toward the former chief minister has not yet dissipated. What better time could there be for a leadership transition?
In Telangana, BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) also had plans to pass on the party leadership to his son KT Rama Rao (KTR) and appointed him as the party’s working president. However, elections came before KTR could step out of KCR’s shadow, and the party lost power.
KTR also failed to solidify strong grassroots connections with the cadre in his role as working president. Now, with the party out of power, his leadership is being challenged by his own sister, K Kavitha, who has openly declared that she will not work under his leadership.
Naidu faces no such issue. If Lokesh had a sibling, there would have been leadership contention. We have witnessed the power struggles among siblings in the families of the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy and KCR. However, since Lokesh is Naidu’s only heir, that complication does not exist.
There’s a saying — strike while the iron is hot. Even at 75, Naidu is mentally and physically strong. In this context, he must now focus on officially appointing a new-generation leader as the chief of the party. It is time for him to gracefully step aside and appoint Lokesh as the national president of the TDP.
There are still four years left before the next Assembly elections. If Lokesh takes charge now, he will be well-seasoned by then. And should there be any shortcomings along the way, Naidu will still be there for course-correction.
Historically, very few working presidents of political parties have been notably successful. A senior leader in the party pointed this out, questioning, “What better time could there be to hand over responsibilities to Lokesh?”
If the party is to win again in 2029, Lokesh must immediately focus on the necessary organisational reforms. Naidu is often hesitant, whereas Lokesh is more direct and decisive. His determination to prove himself as a worthy successor — even as one who surpasses his father — is evident.
Will Naidu, in line with the party’s constitution, initiate the leadership transition? That remains to be seen in the coming days. Within the party, Naidu’s hesitation is proving to be an obstacle in reining in leaders and legislators who are breaking the code of discipline — a flaw that could ultimately hurt the party. Overcoming such shortcomings is critical.
Through his speeches at Mahanadu, Lokesh has already proven himself to be a better leader than his father. Leaders agree that, if entrusted with party leadership, Lokesh could instil discipline and structure the party well.
The decision regarding a leadership change has already been made. All that remains is to finalise the timing.
(The writer is a veteran journalist and managing director of the Telugu daily Andhra Jyothi. Views are personal. Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
