Amid growing demands within the Telugu Desam Party for appointing party general secretary and Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh as Deputy Chief Minister, the party leadership has issued a strict directive to its leaders, instructing them not to discuss the matter in public.
Acting on the orders of party president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, a formal directive was circulated on Monday, advising party members to refrain from making public comments or media statements regarding Lokesh’s potential elevation.
The party clarified that any decision regarding the Deputy CM post for Lokesh would be made collectively by the alliance leadership. It emphasized that personal opinions should not be imposed on the party's agenda.
The issue gained traction following Naidu's recent visit to Mydukur in Kadapa district, where district president and politburo member Srinivas Reddy publicly suggested that Lokesh should be appointed Deputy CM.
This statement sparked widespread discussions, with several leaders, including former minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, former Pithapuram MLA SVSN Varma, and Rajahmundry Urban MLA Adireddy Vasu, openly supporting Lokesh’s appointment.
However, the TDP leadership has deemed it inappropriate for individual members to express personal views on sensitive matters, reiterating that such decisions should be made collectively after discussions with alliance partners.
In light of these developments, party leaders have been instructed to avoid further public discussions on the issue, ensuring that any future decisions are communicated through official channels.
