In Andhra Pradesh, a seemingly simple demand to solidify the hierarchy in the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) could send ripples through the state’s coalition corridor. But not if Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu could help it.
The “innocuous” request that Nara Lokesh be elevated to deputy chief minister was made by TDP politburo member Reddappagari Srinivasulu Reddy. He made the request in presence of party cadre and Naidu himself at an event marking TDP founder NT Rama Rao’s 29th death anniversary.
The fact that the state already has a deputy chief minister in Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan hasn’t seemed to deter the TDP leader. Be it Reddy or former Pithapuram MLA Satyanarayana Varma or Gudur MLA Pasam Sunil, TDP leaders were vocal about wanting Lokesh as the “rightful” Deputy Chief Minister.
There is no doubt that Lokesh overcame challenges and worked tirelessly for the party’s growth at grassroot level. It is true that TDP’s membership crossed a crore under a drive spearheaded by Lokesh.
Within the party ranks, the demand was seen as symbolic, because it honours the party’s legacy and solidifies Lokesh’s position in the party hierarchy. However, from the outside, the optics of it is worrisome.
IMBALANCE IN CAREFULLY CRAFTED PARTNERSHIP?
Although expected, the timing of this request is rather startling. That it has come up so soon is surprising: it has been just over six months since the TDP-led coalition government has come to power.
And, let’s not forget, it is a coalition government, supported well by Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena. Kalyan’s rise to the Deputy Chief Minister’s position is his 100 per cent success rate, along with his support extended to Naidu when the TDP chief was in jail in 2023.
Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena won both the Lok Sabha seats and all 21 assembly seats it contested as part of the NDA in Andhra Pradesh. Currently, Pawan Kalyan has enough political clout and influence to stave off the equalisation of stature with Lokesh. But for how long?
The suggested elevation of Lokesh threatens to disturb the carefully maintained equilibrium, the one that was brokered by Kalyan’s hard work.
This might look like classic political conundrum where the ambitions of dynasty politics collide with the aspirations of self-made political leaders. But, it is a far more intricate political tapestry when viewed through the lens of broader coalition dynamics.
The three-party alliance was carefully crafted by the actor-turned-politician who earned his current political standing the hard way. Moreover, the Jana Sena chief also has the tacit support of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The BJP’s strategic investment in Pawan Kalyan adds another layer of complexity to the leadership equation.
EMERGING HINDUTVA POLITICS IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Unlike Naidu’s measured approach to the BJP’s ideological agenda, Kalyan has emerged as their preferred vehicle for grassroots messaging in the state.
Kalyan’s recent positioning as a torchbearer of Sanatan Dharma and nationalism, exemplified by the formation of the Narasimha Varahi Brigade and his campaigning role before the Maharashtra assembly elections, has elevated him beyond mere regional politics.
His transformation into “an unapologetic Sanatani” has made him an invaluable asset in the BJP’s ideological playbook for Andhra Pradesh.
His endorsement as part of the BJP’s Hindutva brigade came in June 2024 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed him as an “aandhi” (storm), as opposed to his name that means breeze.
This evolving dynamic presents a complex equation for Chandrababu Naidu. As a seasoned administrator, he understands the delicate balance between state development and coalition politics. He is also well aware that his agenda for the state’s development is heavily dependent on central funding. So, with Pawan Kalyan serving as the crucial bridge between TDP and BJP, any moves to elevate Lokesh to Deputy Chief Minister could disturb this carefully constructed alliance framework. Not just that, Pawan Kalyan’s supporters and fans, too, aspire to see him rise as an independent political force, and not just play second fiddle to the TDP.
Thus, relooking the role of Deputy Chief Minister would require strategic evaluation. And unless Naidu has come with a political death wish, of which he has displayed no indications, it can be safely assumed that he will ignore this demand. For the time being.