Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh turned into a much needed friend for S. Keerthana, the 29-year-old minister for industries in Tamil Nadu. Keerthana had been making waves with enthusiastic posts on social media about plans to transform the state’s industrial landscape, and on it going modern and into the future. Keerthana used trendy music, slick edits and start-up-style messaging — enough to trigger a full-scale social media meltdown among traditional political purists. As naysayers quickly jumped on the young minister from Tamil Nadu, with folks trolling her social media posts and saying that investments don’t come via social media reels and videos, Lokesh stepped in, with a bit of advice for the newcomer politician. Recalling his experience of being trolled for being tech-savvy, Lokesh advised Keerthana to ignore the noise and focus on bringing investments and jobs to her state. Once the results start coming in, they will silence the troll armies more effectively than arguments on social media, Lokesh pointed out. Clearly, after being through the mill, Lokesh knows a thing or two about social media problems and his advice should stand the new minister from Tamil Nadu in good stead.
TD aspirants learn of the cost of hope
Putting the money where the mouth is not always an easy task. Finding themselves in this situation were several aspirants for the TD’s tickets for contesting the Vizag civic elections for corporator posts. The reality came biting as such candidates were advised that they need to foot the bills for Telugu Desam’s ‘Hybrid Mahanadu’ broadcast from Amaravati. With each Assembly constituency divided into 12 clusters, the local leaders were made responsible for the logistics with aspirants informed that obtaining a ticket requires mobilising a crowd and covering daily expenses, which include food, seating, screens, furniture, and cultural programs coming to anywhere from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh leaving several prospective candidates aghast at what could this mean when the elections actually come around.
Fuming babu leaves Vizag hanging
There is reportedly some internal turbulence in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority with its joint commissioner Ramesh proceeding on long-term leave, and thus staying away from work for the past 20 days. To fill the work gap, a new post of additional commissioner was created, and an official was appointed to keep the wheels of the administration turning. While taking leave is a natural right, Ramesh’s long leave is being seen as his response to what insiders say was repeated humiliation by superiors, a pattern that earlier forced him to abstain from duty for 10 days. Despite intervention by influential figures, the situation reportedly worsened, with superiors openly vowing to replace him, indicating a brewing battle within the Authority on who will control what happens inside the organisation.
Pawan’s day out leaves everyone sweltering under the Sun
Keeping cool comes naturally to some, but with a lot of practice. And for some, a well-held umbrella on a hot summer afternoon might do the trick. Amidst the heatwave in Rajamahendravaram, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on an inspection of Godavari river, was conspicuous with an umbrella held over him at one location while everyone else around him stood in the sun. Those included ministers Nadendla Manohar, Kandula Durgesh, and the 80-year-old Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary, the MLA, and several officials. That bit of standing in the shade apparently helped him later stay focused at a meeting of his partymen whom he admonished saying he should not be used as a punching bag by them for their political gain. Yes, key posts were given to the likes of Nadendla Manohar and Hari Prasad in the party, he said, adding that some may not like Prime Minister Narendra Modi but that does not stop him from doing his work. Declaring that he has intelligence on those targeting him, Pawan Kalyan made it clear that those who understand him will never differ with him, and he wants only disciplined soldiers for the party.
A Revanth primer on turning the tables
When Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy unveiled the bronze statue of N.T. Rama Rao at Ameerpet, the event triggered more political curiosity than controversy. For many, the obvious question was: why would a Congress Chief Minister honour the founder of the Telugu Desam, a leader who built his political legacy on opposing the Congress? Revanth Reddy anticipated the criticism and turned the occasion into a lesson in political history, arguing that NTR belonged not to a party or a region, but to the collective pride of Telugu people. He described NTR as a towering personality who transcended caste, religion, language and regional boundaries and earned admiration across the country. The Chief Minister also highlighted NTR’s role in nurturing several leaders from Telangana, including Tummala Nageswara Rao, Mandava Venkateswara Rao, Kadiyam Srihari and Motkupalli Narasimhulu. In a politically-loaded remark, Revanth noted that even BRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao rose through the ranks of the TD under NTR’s guidance, calling KCR’s political journey “NTR’s political bhiksha.”
Renuka stirs the waters again
The irrepressible Renuka Chowdhury was at it again, doing what she does best – speak her mind. Her recent comments that followers carrying the chappal of their leaders seem to be getting nominated posts created a sensation of sorts in Khammam district. The Rajya Sabha member’s target was P. Durga Prasad, a staunch follower of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, getting the Stambhadri Urban Development Authority chairman post. This immediately put Renuka at odds with Bhatti, and two other ministers, Tummala Nageswara Rao and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, also from the erstwhile Khammam district, who have often pointed out that only those who work for the party will get nominated posts. That someone like Renuka Chowdhury said what she said has now set off a buzz from the disgruntled lot in the Congress in the district who feel they have been left out of the race for nominated posts.
Contributions from Sampat G. Samritan, Md Ilyas, Vadrevu Srinivas, K.M.P. Patnaik, Aruna, L. Venkat Ram Reddy, P. Srinivas
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
