In a sudden and surprising development, Telugu Desam Party general secretary and state information technology and education minister Nara Lokesh rushed to New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon.
According to party sources, Lokesh’s sudden tour to Delhi was nothing to do with his department or other government issues.
“It is purely personal and political. Maybe, he has been deputed by his father and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss some political issues related to the state,” sources said.
Lokesh is expected to meet several senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, besides leaders of other National Democratic Alliance partners to discuss some important political matters. The TDP is an important constituent of the NDA.
“He will have a night halt in New Delhi and will come back only on Thursday morning or afternoon,” sources said.
Political observers are wondering why Naidu chose to stay away from Delhi visit and instead, has deputed Lokesh to discuss political issues with the Delhi bosses.
“Maybe, Naidu wants to familiarise Lokesh with the Delhi leaders to discuss the state issues, as part of grooming him as his successor,” sources said.
When Naidu was in jail for 50 days in the alleged skill development scam last year, it was Lokesh who stayed back in New Delhi for several years to discuss the legal issues with experts and also to lobby with the powers-that-be in New Delhi.
After that, Lokesh did not get any opportunity to go to Delhi and discuss the political matters with the alliance partners of the TDP.
“It appears Naidu wants his son to learn how to deal with the leaders in Delhi and bring maximum benefits to the state,” sources said.
