For the last few weeks, one could notice Telugu Desam Party general secretary Nara Lokesh turning more and more aggressive with every passing day.
While his father and party president N Chandrababu Naidu has been lying low, confining himself to press statements, Lokesh is actively taking part in the party activities, going directly into people whenever there are serious issues.
The way Lokesh has led the TDP protests at Guntur General Hospital in protest against the murder of a Dalit girl Ramya and the hungama he has created at her residence while calling on her family members shows his aggressive character.
Wherever there is an issue, Lokesh is leading the agitation from the front, attacking the YSR Congress government with pungent comments.
He has also lost his weight and is looking more active and aggressive in his approach.
Interestingly, even the YSR Congress party leaders, who used to make fun of Lokesh describing him as a Pappu, have now started taking him seriously.
It was evident from the way several ministers and YSRC MPs swung into action to attack Lokesh for his criticism against the Jagan government on Ramya murder issue.
What could be the reason for this drastic change in the style of functioning of Lokesh?
According to party sources, his father and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu told Lokesh to change his approach if he wants to stake claim for the party leadership in the coming days.
Apparently, Naidu brought to his notice the demands from various sections of the party to bring popular young hero Junior NTR back into action in the party and entrust him with the responsibility of leading the party to victory in the next elections.
There have been reports that NTR, too, making strategic moves to take over the party reins in the coming days, taking advantage of the disgruntlement in the party.
So, Naidu warned his son that if he did not prove himself as a leader, there is every danger that NTR fans might stage a revolt and demand for NTR’s leadership in the party.
So, that is why Lokesh is trying hard to project himself as a true successor of the party in the coming days.
