Today, Andhra Jyothi’s Radhakrishna wrote some truthful points that every party head should keep in mind.
The article took no sides but presented a balanced and generalized perspective, making it an example of true journalism.
Key Points from ABN Radhakrishna's Article:
Leaders Becoming Aloof: Those in power isolate themselves within their close circles and stop engaging with people at the ground level. They rely on third-party surveys and deceive themselves.
Clear Reasons for Electoral Defeats: Chandrababu Naidu’s defeat in 2019 had clear reasons, just as KCR and Jaganmohan Reddy’s defeats had their own. The people are well aware of these reasons.
Chandrababu’s AI Obsession: Many TDP supporters feel that Chandrababu's governance style before 2019 continues unchanged even now. 90% of people do not know what AI is, let alone its benefits. Repeating an AI-centric narrative that the majority does not understand may not yield political gains.
Jagan Reddy’s Mistakes: He believed that pressing buttons and distributing money would make people overlook everything else. People grew frustrated with the government's misrule. Due to neglecting governance and focusing on factional politics, he was reduced to just 11 seats.
Flaws of Main Party Leaders: Many regional party leaders fail to recognize the public opposition they face. Instead of spending hundreds of crores on election strategists, they should listen to grassroots party workers to understand their real standing. Minister Lokesh met Prashant Kishor in Delhi, but if he had spent that time with party workers, he would have gained invaluable insights.
The Illusion of PowerPoint Presentations: Governance cannot be managed through PowerPoint presentations alone. Strategists create these presentations to impress the Chief Minister, particularly since Chandrababu Naidu is a technophile. He must avoid falling into this trap.
It is true that leaders should evaluate their governance through direct interaction with people and grassroots party workers, holding regular meetings and gathering honest feedback.
Relying solely on social media activists and election strategists is a recipe for disaster.
Jagan Mohan Reddy made the same mistake, and now the ABN article warns that similar risks loom over the alliance government as well.
Leaders must not assume that the voice of a handful of social media users reflects the opinions of the majority at the ground level.
Social media activists do not carry the party flag on their shoulders—grassroots workers do. Party leadership must engage directly with district- and mandal-level cadres, ensuring that every worker feels a sense of ownership over the party’s direction.
Finally, it should be emphasized that blindly trusting strategists, avoiding grassroots interaction, and implementing authoritarian policies like the Red Book will damage governance.
The Red Book is nothing but dictatorship disguised as democracy. If Nara Lokesh continues this governance style, he risks leading the TDP toward the same fate as Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YCP in the recent elections.
