Sons rise on both sides of the Andhra-Telangana border

While KCR’s son has established himself as an efficient administrator, Naidu’s son is emerging No 2 in the TDP

It’s been only a few years since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, but India’s two Telugu states are already witnessing the emergence of the heirs apparent for their respective governments.

The leaders in question are the sons of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) and his Andhra counterpart, Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

Being a minister in the state cabinet with important portfolios such as information technology and urban development, KCR’s son KT Rama Rao (KTR) has already established himself as an efficient administrator. On the other side of the border, Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh is gradually emerging as the No. 2 in the party – though he is yet to get an opportunity to prove his administrative capabilities.

Both the leaders are being acknowledged in their respective party circles as potential successors of their chief-minister fathers. “Dynasty politics, which is now a global phenomenon, has come to Telugu states as well. So, it is hardly surprising that KTR and Lokesh are being seen as the future chief ministerial candidates of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) respectively,” said noted political analyst Prof K Nageshwar.

He, however, says there is a marked difference between KTR and Lokesh in terms of political growth. “KTR entered politics almost a decade ago, at a time when the movement for Telangana state was at its peak. He actively and aggressively participated in the agitation and proved his leadership capabilities. On the other hand, Lokesh was confined mostly to his business activities, and entered active politics only three years ago. He has a long way to go in politics,” Nageshwar told HT.

Insiders in the TRS say there are indications that KTR would lead the party from the front in the next assembly elections because KCR has not been keeping well. “That’s precisely why KCR entrusted his son with the responsibility of leading the party campaign in the recent by-election to the Warangal Lok Sabha and Palair assembly segments in Khammam. Besides, KTR personally shouldered the responsibility of steering the TRS to victory in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections early this year,” a senior TRS leader said.

Apart from rewarding KTR with the coveted municipal administration and urban development portfolio, KCR also entrusted him with the responsibility of touring various countries to attract foreign investments. He has even signed MoUs with various domestic corporate giants such as Tata and Infosys to set up shop in the state. “While KCR is mostly confined to overseeing routine administration, it is KTR who has emerged as the face of the TRS government – making his presence felt in every official function,” the TRS leader said.

In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Lokesh is virtually calling the shots in the TDP as well as the government. He started off as the TDP’s youth wing head in May 2013, later becoming the coordinator of the TDP cadre welfare fund. Gradually, he started participating actively in party activities and addressing politically significant functions. In October 2015, he was elevated to the post of TDP general secretary in the newly constituted central committee, and was also made an ex-officio member of the politburo.

“Since then, Lokesh has emerged as No. 2 in the party and he has been involved in every important decision — whether it concerned cabinet formation, dealing with the Kapu agitation or working out party strategies in Telangana. Since Naidu is busy with administration work, party cadre make a beeline to Lokesh if they face any problem. In the government, however, he mostly does backstage activities,” a TDP leader said.

There was talk that Naidu would make him an MLC, and give him more exposure by inducting him in the state cabinet. Others even speculated that the chief minister would send Lokesh to the Rajya Sabha, getting him a place in Modi’s cabinet. However, none of that happened. “Apparently, Naidu wants his son to learn more about politics before declaring him his successor. He’s in no hurry,” the TDP leader added.