‘Counter YSRCP misinformation campaign effectively,’ says Minister Nara Lokesh

Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday launched a sharp political attack on the YSR Congress Party, accusing its leaders of spreading false propaganda and indulging in corruption. Addressing a Booth Management Workshop at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) central office in Mangalagiri, Lokesh urged party cadres to strengthen the organization from the grassroots level and effectively counter the misinformation being circulated by the opposition.

Referring to a group of YSRCP leaders as Team 11, Lokesh alleged that they were brand ambassadors of spurious liquor, adulterated ghee, and the murder of their own uncle. He accused them of looting Rs.250 crore in the name of God and now falsely claiming that they had received a clean chit. “Their propaganda must be firmly countered at every level,” he asserted.

During the workshop, Lokesh emphasized the need to rebuild the party from the booth level. “The party is our permanent home, while government is only temporary. No matter how high we rise, we must always remember that the TDP office is our true temple,” he said. He announced that 903 senior leaders have been assigned the responsibility of strengthening 4,772 booths across five zones. “Every leader must spend at least one full day in a booth, understand ground realities, and report feedback to the party,” he instructed.

Stressing the importance of continuity in governance, Lokesh said development is possible only when governments remain stable for long periods. He cited Gujarat and Odisha as examples and cautioned party leaders against internal differences. “There will be no cracks in the coalition. Any issues will be resolved through discussion. YSRCP is trying to create rifts among us, and we must remain alert,” he warned.

Earlier in the day, Minister Nara Lokesh held a cordial meeting with veteran Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former minister Gouthu Shyam Sundar Shivaji at the party’s central office. Known for his disciplined approach and willingness to learn from experienced politicians, Lokesh personally invited the senior leader for an interaction.

During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on contemporary politics, the values and ethics that shaped public life in earlier decades, strategies for strengthening the Telugu Desam Party, and the functioning of various government departments. Shivaji, who has served the party for more than four decades and hails from a prominent political family led by freedom fighter Sardar Gouthu Latchanna, shared his vast experience and insights with the young minister.