Lokesh calls the shots in Naidu's absence

HYDERABAD: TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh, who is preparing himself to take up a bigger role in the party, has started pulling strings both in the party and the government in the absence of his father, who left for Davos to take part in the World Economic Forum meeting in the early hours of Tuesday.

Lokesh chaired a meeting of ministers, party MLAs and senior party leaders at TDP headquarter NTR Trust Bhavan on Tuesday to discuss paddy procurement policy of the government and farmers' problems.

Agriculture minister P Pulla Rao, civil supplies minister Paritala Sunitha, labour minister Atchannaidu and about 15 party MLAs took part in the meeting which lasted for over two hours.

Lokesh had also participated in the maiden meeting organised by his father to bring about coordination between the party and the state government at the Lake View Guest House earlier this month.

He reportedly not only appraised the performance of the TDP government by quoting some internal surveys of the party on its welfare schemes but also gave some suggestions to the government on issues relating to people in that meeting.

Ever since his appointment as coordinator of 'Welfare Fund' set up for the workers of the party, the young politico has been directly making his presence felt at the TDP headquarters and has involved himself in the party affairs.

According to sources, Naidu is letting some ministers and seniors in the party to promote Lokesh as the next boss of the party to set the stage for his son to play a bigger role in the party.

Even in Tuesday's meeting, the young politico made some valuable suggestions which were well taken by the ministers and party MLAs concerned.

He reportedly directed agriculture minister to take steps to procure maximum paddy from farmers and also to provide appropriate Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce.

He asked party MLAs to take up farmers' issues during their visits to their constituencies and create an awareness about the welfare programmes being implemented by the TDP government.

Later, speaking to reporters, Pulla Rao said the state government was making arrangements to procure paddy from the farmers. ''The government was planning to increase the capacity of FCI godowns in the state to store more quantities of foodgrains,'' he said.

Stating that his government was committed to the welfare of farmers, the agriculture minister said the state government was taking steps to resolve the problems of farmers and make agriculture profitable.

'We would see that farmers get good MSP for their produce,'' he said. He said they would submit a report on various steps to be taken for the welfare of farmers to Naidu after his return from Davos.