As expected, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was unanimously re-elected as the president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the second day of Mahanadu, the party’s three-day conclave held in Kadapa.
TDP election committee chairman and politburo member Varla Ramaiah formally announced Naidu’s re-election, noting that his was the only nomination filed for the post. Naidu then took the oath, marking his 30th consecutive year as party president.
He first assumed the position in August 1995 after ousting TDP founder and his father-in-law, N.T. Rama Rao.
However, contrary to expectations, Naidu's son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh was not named the party’s working president — despite growing speculation and a strong push from party leaders during the Mahanadu event.
Several senior leaders, including state unit president Palla Srinivasa Rao, politburo member Kalva Srinivasulu, Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu, and State Finance Minister Payyavula Kesav, strongly advocated for Lokesh's elevation.
Former minister Dhulipalla Narendra openly declared that the TDP’s Guntur unit had passed a resolution during a recent mini Mahanadu, urging Naidu to appoint Lokesh as the working president.
“We submitted the resolution to Naidu and urged him to delegate key responsibilities to Lokesh,” he said.
Kesav echoed the sentiment, stating, “It is a historical necessity. Lokesh is the unanimous choice of every party leader and worker for the post.”
Sources within the party say that Naidu took note of the overwhelming support for Lokesh. If internal reports are accurate, an official announcement elevating Lokesh to the role of working president is expected within the next few days, as part of a broader reorganization of the party structure.
