Andhra CM’s son Lokesh files nomination for MLC polls, set for cabinet seat

Hyderabad Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday nominated his only son Nara Lokesh as party candidate for state legislative council, in an obvious move to induct him into the state cabinet.

Hyderabad Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday nominated his only son Nara Lokesh as party candidate for state legislative council, in an obvious move to induct him into the state cabinet. 

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu (second from right) with his son Nara Lokesh (left; in blue) pay floral tributes to TDP founder and former chief minister NT Rama Rao.(PTI FIle Photo)

Later in the day, Lokesh, general secretary of the TDP, filed his nomination papers for the MLC seat under MLAs’ quota in the newly-built state assembly complex at Velagapudi in Amaravati, the new state capital of Andhra Pradesh. The first assembly session at the new assembly building started with the address by Governor ESL Narasimhan at 11.06 am. 

Senior legislators Kalwa Srinivasulu and Kala Venkat Rao proposed the name of Lokesh for the MLC seat. “Filed my nomination papers for the MLC election. Humble thanks to all who’ve joined me & made the moment special,” Lokesh tweeted within minutes of filing the papers. 

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The election of Lokesh as an MLC is just a formality, as the TDP has fielded five candidates under the MLAs’ quota since it has enough strength to get them elected without any opposition. The only opposition party — YSR Congress — has the strength to win the remaining two seats under the MLAs’ quota. Since there are no other contenders, all of them will get elected unanimously. 

Naidu already indicated to his senior party leaders that he was taking his son into the cabinet and will entrust him with key portfolios. 

Lokesh’s father-in-law Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is an MLA from Hindupur assembly constituency in Anantapur district, said he was happy over nomination of Lokesh for the MLC seat. “He fully deserves it. He has been striving hard to strengthen the party for over four years,” Balakrishna said. 

The YSR Congress party, however, pooh-poohed the move.