The outcome of the assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, with results to be declared on June 4, will decide the future of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its president N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has put up a do-or-die fight.
If the TDP comes to power, it is a foregone conclusion that Naidu will be the chief minister for the next five years. Additionally, his son Nara Lokesh will emerge as a powerful force in Naidu's cabinet and the party.
Over the coming years, Lokesh is expected to gain acceptance as the heir apparent in the party.
However, if the TDP fails to come to power, it could mark the end of the road for Naidu, as he may lose the energy or interest to continue leading the party.
Though the TDP will not be completely wiped out of the political arena, there will definitely be a leadership crisis if Naidu opts out of politics.
Should Naidu withdraw from active politics, the mantle will likely fall on his son Nara Lokesh.
However, it is uncertain how many TDP leaders will accept his leadership, and the party could face a serious crisis. Therefore, securing power is crucial for the party's stability.
In this context, senior TDP leader and former MLC Buddha Venkanna made an interesting demand.
Expressing confidence that Naidu will assume charge as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh again, he demanded that Nara Lokesh should be made the TDP president.
“Lokesh should be declared as the TDP president on the same day that Chandrababu Naidu is sworn in as chief minister. This is not my request, but a demand,” Buddha Venkanna said, adding that he was making the demand because of his close relationship with Chandrababu Naidu.
Stating that Lokesh has played a major role in rejuvenating the TDP over the last five years, Venkanna noted that the TDP general secretary had undertaken a padayatra of 3,132 km in 286 days, energizing the party leaders and cadre.
“Lokesh has gained a lot of acceptability among the party cadre. He has the ability and energy to protect the party and its members. If he becomes the party president, the TDP will thrive for another 30 years,” Venkanna asserted.
The TDP leader also mentioned that, until now, Naidu had been leading the party single-handedly.
“In the recent elections, everyone, including Lokesh, Bhuvaneshwari, and Brahmani, struggled to bring the party to power. Now, it is time for Lokesh to be given key responsibilities,” he said.
