It looks like Telugu Desam Party general secretary Nara Lokesh does not want to take risk by contesting the MLC elections under local bodies’ quota from East Godavari district to get inducted into the cabinet of his father chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
According to party sources, Lokesh brushed aside the suggestion of his father to contest the MLC elections under local bodies’ quota, since it would give him the experience of fighting the direct elections. His victory also would give a morale booster to the party which is struggling to retain its hold in East Godavari district.
However, Lokesh felt that it is too risky to contest the MLC elections, since the opposition YSR Congress party will play all its cards to ensure that he is defeated.
Though the TDP has enough numbers of the MPTC and ZPTC seats, he seems to be apprehensive that any change in the number game would create trouble for him. Even if there is a chance for him to win the seat, he does not want to get elected with a thin majority as it would be a loss of face for him.
So, Lokesh prefers to go to the Legislative Council under MLAs’ quota or Governor’s quota. This would be a backdoor entry for Lokesh into the council as well as the cabinet, but he feels it is better to get the criticism than losing the direct battle.
