Kadapa Mahanadu Success Boosts TDP’s Prospects, Strengthens Lokesh’s Political Future

By PN Srinivasa Rao | [email protected]

Amaravati: The grand success of the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) Mahanadu held in Kadapa has significantly bolstered the party’s morale and reaffirmed the growing stature of Nara Lokesh within the party’s leadership. The event not only marked a strategic breakthrough for TDP in the YSR family stronghold but also highlighted Lokesh’s maturing political leadership and the influence of his dynamic team.

Despite facing numerous challenges while the TDP was in opposition from 2019 to 2024, Lokesh’s effective planning and execution of the Mahanadu has triggered discussions within political circles and the public about his rightful place as the successor to TDP supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

Choosing Kadapa—a district long considered an impregnable bastion of the YS Rajasekhar Reddy family—as the venue was a bold and unprecedented move by the TDP. Since the party’s inception, it had never dared to conduct such a major political event in this region due to the deep-rooted dominance of the YSR Congress Party. The sheer scale and success of the event marked a significant political shift.

Historically, the influence of the YS family in Kadapa has been so pronounced that TDP leaders, including former MLA candidates, often operated under limitations set by the local political hierarchy. In fact, following TDP’s defeat in the 1989 elections, party founder N.T. Rama Rao himself reportedly faced difficulties in securing accommodation in Kadapa town.

The dominance of the YSR Congress had marginalized backward castes and Scheduled Castes (SCs), many of whom sacrificed their own political aspirations to support the YS family in the absence of a credible opposition. Against this backdrop, the Mahanadu’s success has invigorated TDP’s cadre and re-energized support from BCs, minorities, and other marginalized groups.

Public sentiment in Rayalaseema, especially in Kadapa, appears to be shifting. Growing anti-incumbency against YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government has opened up new opportunities for the TDP. Lokesh’s inclusive leadership style and development-focused politics have resonated with many, positioning him as a credible alternative in the region.

Behind the scenes, Lokesh’s core team played a crucial role in orchestrating the event’s success. Notably, Kilaru Rajesh, Kadapa MLA Dr. Madhavi, her husband Srinivas Reddy, MLAs Putta Chaitanya Reddy, Varadarajula Reddy, and Ministers Angani Satya Prasad, P Narayana, BC Janardhana Reddy were instrumental in mobilizing resources, managing logistics, and unifying local leaders for the cause.

With the successful conduct of the Mahanadu in Kadapa, Lokesh has not only proved his political mettle but also strengthened the TDP’s prospects in Rayalaseema. The event marks a significant milestone in the party’s efforts to reclaim lost ground and signals a potential leadership transition within the TDP. One senior party activist from Avanigadda constituency reached to Kadapa by cycle showcasing his affection with party. Interestingly Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu observed through social media and invited him on to the dais. It shows how the gross-root mechanism of TDP worked hard behind the curtain to success of Mahanadu.