“I am a gully boy, not Delhi boy”, says Lokesh

Nara Lokesh, the IT and Panchayatraj Minister, and son of the chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is fighting his first direct elections.  He entered the electoral fray as party nominee from Mangalagiri in politically volatile Guntur district.

While interacting with India Today’s “Election Express” correspondent, he appeared more than confident to win the polls. He claime, as Minister he has done lot of good by creating basic infrastructure at gramplanchayats  He also claims to have developed IT corridor as Mangalagiri happens to be the “Gateway to Amaravati’, the new state capital.

When asked why he chose to contest assembly and not parliament, he said, “I love to work among my own people in the state instead go to Delhi.  I prefer to be identified in gullies (streets) of my own constituency and state, not of Delhi.”

To a specific question on whether his father’s decision to rope him in state politics was only to handover the baton, it has to go to Centre to play a responsible role at the Centre, it necessary, his response was; “Absolutely no.  My father is a great visionary and his services required more needed in state than to nation.  At least for another one or two terms for developing AP as most sought-after state by creating world class infrastructure.”

His father as chief minister had also managed to turn a deficit state into economically strong state within five years.  He cites 27 per cent growth rate, which is better than national average, to drive home his point.

When asked about his party’s poll prospects, he reminded that even in 2014 polls, many said our opponent (without taking name) is winning.  “What happened?” he countered.

Similarly, this time around the good work done by his party government under the capable leadership of his father will certainly help party win yet again with comfortable majority.

To another question whether there was any scope for reconciliation within the party to consider rejoining NDA post polls, if BJP returns to power at the Centre, he simply said; “Once bitten twice shy.  No such a thing likely to happen.”