Big Political Signal: Nara Lokesh One Step Away from CM Post?
N. Chandrababu Naidu, the president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, appears to be paving the way for Nara Lokesh to take on a bigger role. At a time when there is already strong talk within the party and the government that Lokesh’s word carries significant weight, the newly announced TDP committees have further reinforced this perception by giving prominence to his loyalists. Nara Lokesh himself has also received a major elevation. He has been appointed as the National Working President of TDP—a position that did not exist in the party until now. It appears that this role has been specifically created for him. Until now, Lokesh was serving as the party’s National General Secretary. Through these new appointments, Chandrababu Naidu seems to be signaling that Lokesh is just one step away from taking on more crucial responsibilities, both within the party and the government, according to a senior TDP leader.
Meanwhile, Kilari Rajesh—known as a close friend and confidant of Lokesh, who largely operated behind the scenes—has now been appointed as a National General Secretary. Along with him, Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and MP Byreddy Shabari have also been given the same post. In simple terms, all three are considered part of Lokesh’s core team. Another close associate of Lokesh, MP Sana Satish, has been appointed as a National Vice President. In total, 18 leaders have been made National Vice Presidents. Actor-turned-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna has once again been accommodated only as a Politburo member. There had been earlier reports of his dissatisfaction over party positions, but he has once again been included in the Politburo along with other senior leaders, who have all retained their places.
A few months ago, there was a demand from within TDP itself to appoint Nara Lokesh as Deputy Chief Minister. This sparked significant political debate at the time. Some leaders from Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party objected, stating that there should be only one Deputy Chief Minister—and that it should be Pawan Kalyan alone. For various reasons, that proposal was eventually shelved. However, in government advertisements, Nara Lokesh continues to receive prominence equal to that of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. In almost every official advertisement, Lokesh’s photograph appears alongside Pawan Kalyan’s, regardless of the department. For a long time now, the photos of respective department ministers have often been overlooked, with advertisements prominently featuring Pawan Kalyan on one side and Nara Lokesh on the other. With this latest political elevation, TDP leaders are now openly stating that in the coming days, Nara Lokesh may directly take over the responsibilities of the Chief Minister.
