Political Talk: Lokesh No More A ‘Pappu’

It has been one month since Lokesh started his padayatra Yuva Galam. Now, he is a transformed leader wielding patience as his weapon and moving ahead with confidence despite sharp criticism by the opposition parties as ‘pappu’.

Till now, he had been a child in the shadow of his father who is a seasoned politician. Since the day he kicked off the padayatra, Lokesh had been marching ahead taking feedback from his team even while making his own decisions. He had done enough homework to highlight every flaw and mistake of the ruling YCP in the last four years of its rule. Lokesh had been slamming the YCP saying that it had suppressed all the backward communities, citing respective examples.

Lokesh is meeting the people belonging to the minorities at least once in two days and explaining them how the YCP had ignored the implementation of welfare programmes introduced for their well-being by the TDP.

He also focused on meeting associations of various castes. In erstwhile Chittoor, he called for the leaders of various castes, held meetings and enquired about their welfare. He also listed out the various welfare programmes introduced by the TDP for their development during their rule.

Lokesh is also aiming to influence people practising various professions. He held meetings with doctors, teachers and even government employees – asking them about their problems and making a note of all their grievances. The TDP scion was surprised to know that only seven physiotherapists were having government jobs in Andhra Pradesh while there was a need of 7,000 in various state hospitals. He promised to do the needful after the TDP comes to power.

However, youth seems to be the section on whom Lokesh is focusing. The ‘selfie with Lokesh’ programme held on a daily basis is a huge success. He takes selfies with nearly 1,000 every day of whom, 70 per cent are youth.

On the International Women’s Day, Lokesh tried to win the women’s hearts. He tried to showcase the respect and love he has towards women. “Women are bearing more burden and have more patience than Mother Earth,” he said and this comparison impressed many attending the programme. Some women became emotional hearing to Lokesh’s speech. “Mere laws and legal acts will not ensure justice to women. Boys have to be taught how to respect women right from childhood. It should be included in their academic syllabus.” Lokesh promised to do that soon after coming to power.

Under the YCP rule, there is no safety for women. The women ministers themselves are bossing over their subordinates, Lokesh lamented and said that it was only in Andhra Pradesh that SC, ST cases were being registered Dalit women. He impressed women by bowing down to their greatness and admiring their patience and understanding nature.

Apparently, Lokesh has understood that the TDP would be able win the polls only with the support of all sections of the society.