Is Chandrababu Losing His Grip?
Has Chandrababu Naidu’s control over governance weakened? Recent developments suggest so. In a crucial meeting held at the Secretariat ahead of the budget sessions, ministers and senior IAS officers arrived late, despite Chandrababu already being present. Though he expressed his displeasure over the delay, it appears that neither the ministers nor the bureaucrats took his concerns seriously. The growing perception is that officials and leaders are more aligned with Lokesh rather than Chandrababu himself.
Pawan Kalyan Missing from Key Government Meetings
At the same time, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s absence from significant government meetings has raised eyebrows. He previously skipped a crucial cabinet meeting citing health reasons, and now, while discussions on the state budget are underway, he is on a temple tour in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This has led to speculation about whether he will attend any of the key meetings until the budget is presented.
Political analysts believe that Pawan Kalyan has shifted his focus to strengthening Janasena and BJP instead of actively participating in governance. His official responsibilities seem to have been delegated to Nadendla Manohar, who is reportedly operating closely under Lokesh’s direction. Senior bureaucrats are already discussing how Manohar’s alignment with Lokesh has deepened over time.
Is Lokesh Running the Show?
Given these circumstances, Lokesh seems to be tightening his grip on governance, with ministers and officials appearing to follow his lead rather than Chandrababu’s or Pawan Kalyan’s. The prevailing sentiment among government insiders is that staying in Lokesh’s good books is more beneficial than worrying about Chandrababu or Pawan Kalyan.
Looking at the current scenario, even though Chandrababu is officially leading the government, the real power appears to be shifting towards Lokesh. With Pawan Kalyan taking a backseat in governance, the political dynamics in Andhra Pradesh are undergoing a silent yet significant transformation.
