Red flags with TDP’s natl gen secy’s image embarrass cadre in ‘padayatra’
Marthi Subrahmanyam
Vijayawada
Red flags with Lokesh’s image in the ‘Yuva Galam’ walkathon! Sounds weird but it’s true. Taking everyone by surprise, the ‘padayatra’ of TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh in Chandragiri Assembly constituency witnessed a rare spectacle of his fans carrying red flags with their leader’s image on them. The development even embarrassed the TDP cadre.
Usually, yellow TDP flags with the images of NTR and Chandrababu Naidu appear during the TDP programmes but a large number of activists were seen holding giant red flags with the image of Lokesh.
TDP senior leaders said that Lokesh is trying to project himself as a capable leader to counter YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The TDP leaders were surprised on seeing red flag-wielding activists in Lokesh’s ‘padayatra’. Some TDP leaders say Lokesh is following the advice of TDP political strategist Robin Sharma.
Lokesh wanted to project himself as an iconic leader for the TDP, sidelining his father Chandrababu Naidu who is in old age. Moreover, Lokesh plans to lead the TDP on his own in the future and become a strong leader in the State to counter Jagan Mohan Reddy.
A TDP leader said that Lokesh should first confirm whether the people are ready to accept him as a leader to lead the TDP which has a host of senior leaders. Lokesh’s attempts to project himself as an iconic leader, the appearance of red flags in his ‘padayatra’ and the way in which he is addressing the crowds have become a hot debate among TDP senior leaders.
However, some ardent TDP leaders, who have been in the party since its inception, are unable to digest the red flags of Lokesh’s walkathon.
Interestingly, the red flags with the image of Lokesh were seen on the dais of the meetings. TDP senior leaders are of the opinion that without the images of NTR-Naidu, Lokesh alone cannot do much for the TDP since he has to create such charisma and recognition of a popular leader.
Another significant feature in Lokesh’s ‘padayatra’ is that he is focusing on ‘I’ instead of ‘We’. TDP senior leaders also discussed the issue in their meetings. Instead of highlighting Naidu, Lokesh is highlighting himself, a senior leader felt.
However, some senior leaders are of the view that Lokesh is striving hard to prove himself to be a popular leader and hope that he would succeed in his attempt. “As long as Naidu leads the TDP, all leaders, cadre, and the people support him. Lokesh cannot become a popular and charismatic leader as long as Naidu is in politics,” a TDP politburo member commented. Naidu wore yellow shirts during his ‘padayatra’ but Lokesh is appearing in white shirts during the walkathon, a senior leader pointed out.
Sources said that some TDP leaders disagree with the strategies of Rabin Sharma who worked with Prashant Kishor. “Jagan Mohan Reddy has become CM by following the strategies of PK. But now the situation is completely different,” a senior leader said.
