In a twist worthy of a detective novel, Andhra Pradesh's political drama took a quirky turn on Thursday as the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) engaged in a Twitter war that rivals even the most dramatic reality TV shows.
The focus of this latest political soap opera?
A mysterious foreign vacation taken by Nara Lokesh, son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and a minister in Naidu's cabinet.
It all began with a tweet from the YSRCP that read like a scene from a spy thriller: "Hello @naralokesh... Where did you go from July 30 to August 5? Which country did you visit without informing anyone? What did you do abroad?"
The tweet suggested that Lokesh had embarked on a secretive international trip, potentially shrouded in intrigue.
Lokesh was quick to respond.
In a retort that could serve as the tagline for his next political campaign, he fired back: "Pheku Jagan... Mine is not only a red book but also an open book!"
For those not familiar with political jabs, "Pheku" translates to "faker," and Lokesh was clearly in no mood for subtlety.
He also posted the 'political clearance' from the Ministry of External Affairs, showing that his trip was from July 30 to August 5, with Germany as a transit point.
Lokesh clarified, somewhat indignantly, that unlike YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the previous Chief Minister, he doesn’t have any "quid pro quo, money laundering cases, or CBI cases" hanging over his head. Ouch.
To make his point even clearer, he added that he doesn’t need court permission to travel abroad like Jagan does.
Not to be outdone, the YSRCP responded with a barrage of questions. They accused Lokesh of admitting the truth only under pressure.
"If you are an open book," they asked, "why haven’t you officially released your tour schedule? Why did you postpone the cabinet meeting from August 2 to August 7? Why did you keep the tour information hidden for so long?"
They didn’t stop there. The YSRCP also questioned Lokesh’s use of the term "Red Book," suggesting that he might be responsible for the "murders, atrocities, and attacks in the state."
According to them, the state is currently governed by the "Red Book Constitution," where law and order seem to be on vacation, much like Lokesh.
As this Twitter spat continues, one thing is clear: Andhra Pradesh politics are anything but dull. Whether this saga will end with a dramatic twist or simply fade into the next big controversy remains to be seen.
For now, all eyes are on Lokesh's mysterious vacation and the curious case of the Red Book. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.
