RK: Lokesh’s Classmate Who Stayed Behind The Scenes

Kilaru Rajesh is one of the familiar names in the TDP circles, particularly around Nara Lokesh. The two have known each other since their school days, but Rajesh has largely stayed away from the spotlight and built his political role through organisational work.

Rajesh was Lokesh’s classmate and has remained closely associated with him for nearly three decades. However, despite that personal friendship, he has not taken an unusually prominent position in the party or government. His role has mainly been around coordination, party activities and behind-the-scenes work.

Before becoming more active in politics, Rajesh handled responsibilities at Studio N. During the TDP government between 2014 and 2019, he was involved in party-related work and coordination. After the TDP lost power in 2019, he continued to stay with Lokesh and the party during a difficult phase.

Rajesh also faced legal troubles during the previous YSRCP government. He was named in cases related to Amaravati land transactions, including allegations of insider trading. In January 2021, the Andhra Pradesh High Court quashed the insider-trading cases against several TDP leaders, including Rajesh. The court noted that information about the location of the capital was already in the public domain.

His most visible organisational role came during Lokesh’s Yuva Galam padayatra. Rajesh worked on planning, local coordination and other arrangements connected to the long march. He also worked with party leaders and workers and prepared ground-level inputs for the party leadership.

During the 2024 elections, his role also included coordination between TDP and its alliance partners and providing constituency-level information to the leadership. The material also describes his involvement in candidate-related feedback and organisational planning.

What stands out about Rajesh is that, despite having close access to Lokesh, he has largely remained away from public debates and the media spotlight. His political journey has mostly been about organisational responsibilities rather than making himself the centre of attention.

In 2026, Rajesh was appointed as one of the TDP’s national general secretaries, a position also held by other senior party leaders.

Kilaru Rajesh continues to remain an important behind-the-scenes figure in Lokesh’s political team, with his journey closely linked to the organisational activities of the TDP.

Today, on Kilaru Rajesh’s birthday, TDP leaders, workers and supporters are extending their wishes to him. His birthday has also brought attention to his long association with the party and Lokesh, and the behind-the-scenes responsibilities he has handled over the years.