: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday preferred not to deny or confirm the induction of his son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh into the State Cabinet, clearly hinting that a favourable decision is on the cards.
When a media person asked a pointed question on Mr. Lokesh’s induction in the next expansion of the Cabinet as increasingly demanded by party men, he gave a broad smile and said: “We will discuss it when there is a Cabinet expansion. Right now, my priority is to address the challenges thrown up by the severe summer. My focus is on development.”
Despite growing clamour for Mr. Lokesh’s inclusion, the government or the party leadership has not issued any denial. Mr. Lokesh too maintained silence. But this is the first time that Mr. Naidu has reacted in his characteristic manner.
Many TDP leaders, including Prathipati Pulla Rao, J. C. Diwakar Reddy, Ganta Srinivas Rao and Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, have been rooting for Mr. Lokesh’s induction. MLC Buddha Venkanna even offered to sacrifice his seat to make way for Mr. Lokesh.
TS Irrigation projects
The Chief Minister asserted that the government would not compromise on some of the irrigation projects being taken up by the Telangana government.
It would safeguard the State’s interests. At the same time, it was necessary for the two Telugu States to raise their voice against the illegal projects being constructed by upper riparian States such as Karnataka and Maharashtra, he said.
Mr. Naidu, however, reiterated that the government was ready to settle the issues arising out of bifurcation of the State across the table with the Telangana government
