Telugu Desam Party general secretary Nara Lokesh does not have any post or position in the government. Though he is the son of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, he cannot involve in the administrative affairs as he is not a minister nor does he enjoy any power as an advisor or consultant to the government.
Yet, there have been allegations that Lokesh acts like an extra-constitutional authority in the government and that not a single file moves without his approval or not a single transfer of a senior official takes place without his consent.
Even in the release of budgetary allocations to some departments, the officials are said to be instructed to consult Lokesh. This was revealed by none other than a TDP leader himself, albeit inadvertently.
Anantapur Zilla Parishad chairman Chaman Saab, who addressed the general body meeting of the Zilla Parishad the other day, revealed that Lokesh would decide the release of funds due to the ZP.
When several members raised the issue of lack of funds for the development of their panchayat raj bodies, Chaman quietly said he would have to discuss the issue with Lokesh and ensure that funds were released.
The opposition members naturally were furious as to who Lokesh was to decide release of funds to a zilla parishad which was supposed to get as per the constitutional norms.
The TDP members too were upset with Chaman for spilling the beans on the “extra-constitutional authority” of Lokesh!
