Hyderabad: TD president N. Chandrababu Naidu will set a record if he chooses to be Opposition leader in the new AP Assembly.
Mr Naidu has been Opposition leader when Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy was Chief Minister. Now, if he opts to take the post again with Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy as Chief Minister, he will be one of the few politicians who has been Opposition leader to father and son. But it is not yet known whether Mr Naidu is willing to be Opposition leader or will give the post to a party legislator. Mr Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh has been defeated in Mangalagiri.
Outgoing minister K. Atchhennaidu who won from Tekkali and is a strident critic of Mr Reddy could get the job if Mr Naidu does not take it up. To get the Opposition status, the TD has to win 18 Assembly seats. At 8.30 pm, the TD has won 15 and is leading in 10. The Opposition leader has some privileges like Cabinet minister status, government facilities and protocol. Mr Naidu has no chance of becoming Rajya Sabha member, as the party needs 44 legislators.
