While the TDP’s Mahandu-2020 was the talk of the town for first ever political party in the country to embrace digital socialization in these days of corona virus by holding online conclave, TDP general secretary was the star attraction at the Mahanadu event.

Lokesh, who was slightly on the healthier side earlier, looked incredibly smart with his new toned body. It is learnt that Nara Lokesh nearly shed some 20 kgs. Wearing a white shirt, Lokesh showed up at the Mahanadu event with face mask. He seemed to have chiselled his physique silencing his political detractors who made inappropriate, and negative comments on his body weight.

Often, Lokesh was a victim of body shaming by the YSRCP leaders. Not to be cowed down by body shaming, Lokesh used the complete lockdown to his advantage by shedding those extra calories. The TDP general secretary followed a strict diet regime and tight workout schedules to reduce weight. The TDP leaders and cadre were impressed by the new avatar of Lokesh and praised him for his grit and determination to stay fit and healthy.

TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh on Saturday demanded that the YSR Congress Party Government initiate village-level procurement of crops in order to rescue farmers from losses and debts due to very low prices in open market.

He deplored that the Government has not bothered to open enough purchase centres to buy farmers’ crops to ensure remunerative prices for them to overcome losses in Coronavirus epidemic time. Only 10 per cent of the total harvested crops was bought by the Government in Andhra Pradesh so far while Telangana ensured good prices for most crops there.

In an open letter addressed to CM Jaganmohan Reddy here, Mr. Lokesh said that Telangana Government bought Rs. 5,000 Cr worth crops already while AP regime was still claiming to have spent Rs. 1,000 Cr. But, in the ground level, even these comparatively low figures were not matching with the actual purchases made from the farmers in AP. This was enough to say why AP farmers were pushed into an unforeseen crisis.

The former Minister said that AP farmers produced 55 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains in rabi season while the Government had not even bought 5 lakh metric tonnes. Whereas, Telangana Government has bought over 22 lakh metric tonnes of foodgrains was bought in their state. AP farmers were not getting proper prices for paddy, groundnut, turmeric, tobacco, maize, jowar, redgram and chickpea. There are only a few purchase centres. Horticulture and vegetable growers suffered severe losses.

Mr. Lokesh accused the YSR Congress Party leaders of donning the roles of middlemen to loot farmers’ money by committing irregularities at the purchase centres. As a result, very low prices were pushing farmers into debts. Maize farmers are now getting just Rs. 1,350 to Rs. 1,400 per quintal as against Rs. 2,000 last year. Lemons are fetching just Rs. 10 to Rs. 12 per kg this year as against Rs. 60 to Rs. 70 last year. A basket of sapota is sold at just Rs. 500 this season while it fetched Rs. 1,500 last year. Banana farmers got Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 per bunch last year but this year, they are not even getting Rs. 100.

Stating that CM Jagan totally neglected purchase of crops at a crucial time, Mr. Lokesh said that Government’s indifference has caused distress sale among farmers. Obviously, the Government is showing keen interest in selling liquor but not buying farmers crops to save agriculture. YSRCP should at least now wake up and start buying farmers crops at village level. There are over 20 to 25 staff in village secretariat including volunteers, which is enough to procure crops at micro level.

Mr. Lokesh asked whether it was not correct that CM Jagan Reddy has betrayed farmers by promising lots of things to them prior to the elections but totally ignored the same after coming to power. The Government has turned totally blind to the problems of farmers of all crops when they are passing through a difficult Coronavirus period.

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh was allegedly seen riding a bicycle while teaching his son Devansh skateboard on deserted roads, violating the lockdown measures in place to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

YSR Congress Party MP V. Vijayasai Reddy on Saturday posted a video on Twitter, apparently filmed near Naidu’s residence here.

The ruling party leader tweeted that at a time when crores of people across the country are facing hardships due to corona disaster and are unable to come out of their houses, Chandrababu Naidu’s son is riding on roads and teaching skateboard to his son Devansh. “Hats off,” added the MP at the end of his tweet in Telugu.

The YSRCP leader posted the video amid the trading of allegations between the leaders of the ruling party and opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu has been accusing YSRCP leaders of violating lockdown norms with impunity.

కరోనా విపత్తుతో కష్టాలను దిగమింగుతూ దేశంలో కోట్లాది మంది ప్రజలు గడప దాటకుండా లాక్‌డౌన్‌ను పాటిస్తుంటే చంద్రబాబు సుపుత్రుడు ‘మాలోకం’ మాత్రం లాక్‌డౌన్‌ను ఉల్లంఘించి యధేచ్చగా రోడ్లపై చక్కర్లు కొడుతూ ‘మాతృభాష’లో కొడుకు దేవాన్ష్‌కు స్కేట్‌బోర్డు నేర్పిస్తున్నాడు. హ్యాట్సాఫ్! pic.twitter.com/nqQoeN5QqH

— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) April 18, 2020

Is the AP government still taking light of the Coronavirus threat? Telugu Desam Party National General Secretary Nara Lokesh says that though the people are making huge donations to the government, enough funds are not being released to the concerned departments now. A pitiable situation arose where the respective officials are forced to write to the government for more funds every now and then.

Lokesh says the ruling YCP leaders are shamelessly taking away even the masks that were actually reserved for the doctors, health workers and other frontline workers. These workers are forced to take unsafe protective gear in the fight against COVID-19 threat. This is putting their lives at risk. No sincere efforts are there to supply enough personal protection equipment to police, municipal workers and sanitation staff, who are also actively taking part.

Lokesh says that while the increasing severity of the virus threat is shaking everyone, the government’s attitude is like the safety and security of YCP leaders are enough while the people are left to fend for themselves.

The TDP is stepping up its criticism of Jagan Circar on COVID-19 preparedness. TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh said that the YCP government has wrongfully claimed of no corona virus threat in the state till now but now the latest health bulletins are giving conflicting reports. There are 1,006 suspected cases while 711 persons are under isolation. Three persons showed positive.

Lokesh demanded that the AP government was hiding factual information on virus situation in the past one week. This is high time that the Central government interfere to monitor the corona preventive measures for the safety of the people of the state. Lokesh accused YCP Vinukonda MLA Brahma Naidu of causing mental anguish leading to the heart failure and death of TDP ZPTC candidate at Savalyapuram. The MLA had harassed and brought undue pressure on many other TDP candidates in local body elections.

Mr. Lokesh scoffed at the YCP claims of massive support from voters, saying that the threats and intimidation revealed that YCP leaders were terrified to face opposition candidates in the elections. This was why the ruling party is resorting to misuse of power for eliminating TDP candidates at the initial stages of nominations, withdrawals and scrutiny.

Former Minister Nara Lokesh has stepped up his criticism against the YCP government a day ahead of the historic Assembly special session to pass the Capital shifting resolution. Lokesh said that CM Jagan Reddy is solely responsible for the deaths of Amaravati farmers. Over 20 farmers have so far dues of heart attacks and depression because of Jagan 3 Capitals blow.

Lokesh said that it is the thick-skinned, he-buffaloe government whose oppressive policies are killing Amaravati farmers one by one. Very ironically, instead of comforting the farmers, the Jagan Reddy Circar is making humiliating casteist statements again the farmers who gave their ancestral lands for Capital construction.

Lokesh appealed to the people to make the Chalo Assembly protests a huge success tomorrow. It’s only through people’s agitation that this evil-minded, fascist government will realise its mistake. Lokesh said that they would take the anti-Capital shifting agitation to a logical conclusion.

There is a buzz in TDP circles that Nara Lokesh, the only son of TDP chief and former AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu will be given a ‘bigger role’ in TDP soon.

Lokesh is currently an MLC and the general secretary of the party. He worked as a minister holding key portfolios in Chandrababu’s government.

Speculations are rife in TDP that party chief Chandrababu will soon elevate his son as the ‘working president’ of TDP.

Lokesh’s elevation is expected in the New Year 2020.

It may be recalled that TRS chief and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao has elevated his son KT Rama Rao as ‘working president’ of TRS, soon after he won Assembly elections for a second term in December 2018.

Naidu too seems to follow suit and appoint his son Lokesh as working president.

Though there is criticism on Lokesh of lacking leadership skills to lead the party, it is a foregone conclusion in Indian politics where ‘heriditary politics’ call the shots and the mantle is automatically passed on from father to son.

Naidu is set to reach 70 years of age in April 2020 and he reportedly feels that the time is right to make his son Lokesh as working president by April 2020.

It will be difficult for Naidu to dedicate more time for party activities at the age of 70 years. Naidu wants Lokesh to settle down and get hold on the party when he will be active in politics till 75 years of age.