Tensions brewing within Andhra Pradesh's NDA alliance

Tensions are brewing within Andhra Pradesh's NDA alliance, as Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan continues to skip key events. On February 11, Kalyan, who holds the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj portfolios, was absent from a review meeting with Chief Minister Naidu, citing illness. However, the following day, he went on a pre-planned four-day temple visit to Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. His party leaders insisted that the trip was arranged in advance.

This isn't the first instance where Kalyan has expressed discontent. On February 6, he missed a cabinet meeting where Naidu announced rankings for ministers based on file clearance. Kalyan was ranked 10th, with Naidu himself in 6th place and his son, Nara Lokesh, in 8th. Sources close to Kalyan indicated that he was unhappy with this ranking. In November, Kalyan publicly criticized Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha over the state's poor law and order situation, even suggesting he could take over the role himself.

Adding to the tension, in January, several TDP leaders pushed for Nara Lokesh to be made Deputy CM, fueling speculation that the party is grooming him as the next CM candidate after Naidu. Meanwhile, Kalyan's party views him as a potential successor. Sources indicate a coordinated effort within the TDP to establish Lokesh as the next leadership face, creating a potential conflict with Kalyan's ambitions.


Despite these tensions, TDP spokesperson Jyotsana Tirunagiri downplayed the situation, stating, "both the CM and Deputy CM are like brothers," and explained that Kalyan's absence from the meeting was due to illness. She further emphasized that the two parties are in coordination for the upcoming MLC elections, ensuring no disruptions in their partnership.

"This is unnecessary speculation and there is no truth in it," Jana Sena leader and state minister Nadendla Manohar told ET. On TDP's efforts to promote Nara Lokesh as Deputy CM, Manohar responded, "The TDP leadership has already clarified about it. We have nothing more to say."