Does Chandrababu See A Priyanka In Brahmani?
K Jayadev
Undoubtedly, Nara Lokesh, son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and state IT minister, has proved out to be a dud. No matter how hard his father, cheered by other hangers-on tried to project him as TDP's future, Lokesh proved to be his own worst enemy in a manner of speaking. All he has to do is attempt to speak on any subject under the sun. The pearls of wisdom which soon follow have made him the laughing stock of AP in the eyes of all.
Within no time his blunders were so obvious that people branded him as "pappu." Despite all the efforts at branding him right, Chandrababu, with 40 years of experience to his name seems to have failed in grooming pappu. Lokesh seems to be incapable of mending his ways. And this seems to have prompted Chandrababu to look at Brahmani as an alternative face for TDP!
Though many within TDP had suggested to the party president Chandrababu not to draw Nara Lokesh into politics, the father wanted his son to take over the reins of the TDP as well as become the next CM of AP. In his love for his son, Lokesh was dragged into the world of politics by the AP CM. But his utterances at public meetings, his minimal understanding of political knowledge and historical facts, have landed Lokesh in a pickle more often than once. They have also turned him into a cartoonist's delight. The fact that he is relentlessly trolled on the social media tells us about his political mettle.
Unhappy with Lokesh's performance, looking at the dissidence within the party as well as to face the YSR Congress Party's soaring popularity, Chandrababu has been on the hunt for a face that could lead TDP into the future.
Unfortunately, Balakrishna was no better than pappu and he was not considered to be the face of TDP at any point of time. Despite holding ministership, the party cadre seems averse to welcoming him. In his recent visit to Kurnool, Lokesh had to face severe opposition within TDP for unduly announcing the names of candidates for the next elections. He was criticised for this move and faced strong opposition until Chandrababu intervened and consoled the party leaders.
With such events occurring frequently, Chandrababu has been on a search for a suave, and reliable face to take TDP forward. The AP CM seems to have zeroed in on Brahmani, when she made a presentation at National Women's Parliament held last year. The star attraction at that meet had been Brahmani for her talk, which was clear to the point. From her confident presentation, she appeared to be more mature than her husband. Later at GES 2017 and also during the Heritage events, she has been a standout performer.
In fact, it is understood that Chandrababu had said to TDP leaders that she was much better than any of them. But the AP CM was looking at the most opportune time to start promoting her. What better time than elections? With elections round the corner, Chandrababu was likely to bring Brahmani on to the forefront and project her has the as the face of TDP. Interestingly, she could be projected as NTR's clan more than Lokesh's wife! This would be a good ploy to try and hold together genuine TDP lovers.
Looks like even Brahmani is game for a political entry. With politics running in the family, it would be no surprise that she is willing to take up the assignment given by her father-in-law. And this was the reason she was seen today at the Rahul Gandhi's meeting with industrialists in Hyderabad. Though the party was brushing the meet aside by saying that she had attended it in the capacity of an industrialist and not as politician or would-be politician. But the saying that there is no smoke without fire seems apt.
Considering the move of TDP to get close to Congress and Rahul also indicating the same during his visit to Hyderabad today, Chandrababu has seems to have re-established the fact that TDP was desperately seeking Congress hand to stay afloat in the next elections. It is also learnt that Brahmani, who has most business interests in Andhra Pradesh made it a point to attend the meet only to pass on her father-in-law's message of extending the hand of friendship.
But will Brahmani pass muster? Will she be another Priyanka? Or will she make a dent like TRS Kavitha or NCP's Supriya or even DMK's Kanimozhi? And more importantly, will the flamboyant lady turn out to be the next winner of TDP? Is she the leader TDP is banking on, considering Chandrababu Naidu has nver quite been a winning horse as a leader himself?
