TD, JS clash over plans for Lokesh's elevation in ministry

Visakhapatnam:The war of words between the Telugu Desam and Jana Sena over the proposed elevation of Nara Lokesh as deputy chief minister or chief minister continued on Monday. Jana Sena leaders stepped in to say they rather want their leader, Pawan Kalyan, to be the next CM.

While the TD leadership was caught on the wrong foot and is trying to downplay the issue, leaders from both parties continue to argue over this issue. TD’s minister T.G. Bharat and Kiran Royal, the Jana Sena Party's in-charge for Tirupati, engaged in a war of words on this issue.

Notably, the row erupted after Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy spoke at a recent TDP polit buro meeting about perceived plans to elevate Lokesh as chief minister by 2026. Chief minister and TD chief Chandrababu Naidu said his proposal was acceptable but “we should not start implementing it immediately.”

Hearing the CM's words, the senior leaders of the Polit Bureau insisted that they should at least have the opportunity to express their opinions openly and act accordingly. They tested the waters.

This raised considerable tension in the Jana Sena, whose leader Pawan Kalyan is currently the deputy CM – and second only to Naidu. There was widespread discussion in the JS about whether Naidu would stick to his promise that there would be only one deputy CM, when they formed an alliance, or whether there would be changes to this decision now.

Kiran Royal held a press conference and raised a loud protest against the TD plan to elevate the ministerial status of Lokesh.

Sensing trouble, Chandrababu Naidu tried to restrain his own party leaders. However, to everybody’s surprise, minister T.G. Bharat announced in Davos on Monday that Lokesh could become the chief minister, not the deputy chief minister.

He said, "Highly educated youth leader Nara Lokesh knows what to do and when. We have a perfect trend in our party. Senior and junior are leading the government together, and we have a long-term vision. Telugu Desam has a bright future. Whether one likes it or not, Lokesh is the future leader. The future Chief Minister is Lokesh.”

At this point, Kiran Royal reemerged on the scene and said, "Since Sankranti, some TD leaders and activists have been announcing that Nara Lokesh should be appointed AP deputy CM. However, we want to see our party leader, Pawan Kalyan, as AP CM in the coming years.”

“It would be better if the TD leaders continued with the agreement they had reached before the AP assembly elections. I urge TD leaders not to make unnecessary comments,” he added.