Nara Lokesh Appointed TDP Working President
Chandrababu Naidu balances seniors and new faces with eye on 2029 polls
VIJAYAWADA: In a sweeping organisational overhaul, the Telugu Desam on Wednesday unveiled its new Politburo, as also the national and state committees, with education minister Nara Lokesh assuming a central role in the party’s organisational set-up.
The changes mark a decisive generational shift for the ruling party.
Lokesh has been appointed the national working president, underscoring his emergence as the party’s principal organisational leader and signalling a calibrated transition in leadership. The move is part of a broader strategy to prepare the party for future political challenges, including the 2029 elections.
The elevation of Lokesh marks a significant transition within the party, positioning him at the forefront of organisational affairs while party supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu continues to provide overarching guidance for the party as its head.
MLA Palla Srinivas has been named state TD president, completing a strategic leadership alignment.
In a move reflecting the party’s commitment to women’s empowerment, Nandyal MP Byreddy Shabari is appointed as the TD’s first-ever woman national general secretary. She will serve alongside MPs Ram Mohan Naidu and Rajesh Kilaru. This is viewed as a strong political signal in favour of the present move by the Centre for larger women’s representation.
The newly constituted organisational structure comprises a 29-member Politburo, a 31-member national committee and a 185-member state committee.
Party sources said the committees were finalised after extensive deliberations to ensure a careful balance of social, regional and political factors, while also keeping long-term goals such as the 2029 elections and possible constituency reorganisation in mind.
A highlight of the reshuffle is its emphasis on social justice and inclusive representation. Of the 185 members in the state committee, as many as 122 belong to the weaker sections. This includes 77 members from the Backward Classes, 25 from the Scheduled Castes, seven from the Scheduled Tribes and 13 from the minority communities.
In percentage terms, the representation stands at 40 per cent for BCs, 25 per cent for SCs, 3.8 per cent for STs and seven per cent for the minorities, broadly aligning with population ratios.
Women have been accorded prominence in the new structure, with 50 of them inducted into the state committee and significant representation ensured for them across the politburo and national committees. The move reflects the party’s alignment with the policy direction of 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies.
In a notable departure from convention, grassroots leaders such as mandal president Gantyada Sridevi and cluster in-charge Guttikonda Dhanunjay have been directly elevated to the politburo, a visible shift to a merit-based system that recognises “commitment, loyalty and organisational work” at the ground level.
The restructuring exercise bears the clear imprint of Lokesh. Building on the vision articulated during the Kadapa Mahanadu, he has sought to translate the slogan “cadre is the leader” into a functional principle by opening pathways for karyakartas to rise within the party’s highest decision-making bodies.
Party leaders described the exercise as forward-looking and inclusive, noting that those not accommodated in nominated posts have been given meaningful organisational roles to ensure continued engagement and cohesion within the ranks.
Expressing gratitude over his appointment, minister Lokesh said he was “deeply honoured” and termed the role a “lifelong responsibility,” pledging to work tirelessly to strengthen the party and serve the people of Andhra Pradesh with commitment and purpose.
Ministers Vangalapudi Anitha, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, Gottipati Ravikumar, Kollu Ravindra, Anagani Satyaprasad, Vasamsetti Subhash and others congratulated Lokesh on his appointment as the TD’s national working president.
