V J M Divakar I hyderabad

With the reports that Lokesh may take over the responsibility of the TDP, one should be revisit his political journey so far.

A Transformative Journey in Shaping a Mature Political Leader

A few initiatives have been as ambitious or impactful as Nara Lokesh’s Yuva Galam Padayatra, a 4,000-km walkathon launched on January 27, 2023, aimed at revitalizing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and redefining Lokesh’s political persona. As the son of TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh faced immense pressure to prove his mettle in a state where dynastic politics is both a boon and a burden.

The Yuva Galam Padayatra, spanning 226 days and covering 3,132 km across 100 Assembly constituencies, emerged as a pivotal chapter in Lokesh’s political career, transforming him from a perceived political novice into a mature, grassroots leader who played a critical role in the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) landslide victory in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections. 

A Party in Crisis and a Leader Under Scrutiny

When Lokesh announced the Yuva Galam Padayatra, the TDP was reeling from its crushing defeat in the 2019 Assembly elections, where it secured only 23 out of 175 seats. Lokesh himself faced a personal setback, losing his debut election in Mangalagiri, a constituency adjacent to the TDP’s ambitious capital project, Amaravati. Critics, particularly from the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), branded him as “Pappu,” a derogatory term implying political incompetence, and questioned his ability to succeed his father as the TDP’s leader.

There was a large-scale oppression from the then regime which was known for silencing its critics physically. The situation was grim and people were living in constant fear. The party’s existential crisis, coupled with Lokesh’s electoral failure as well as the fear psychosis among people has necessitated a bold move to restore public confidence and party morale.

The Yuva Galam Padayatra, meaning “Voice of the Youth,” was conceived as a mass outreach program to reconnect with the people, particularly the youth, who constitute nearly 50% of Andhra Pradesh’s population but have limited representation in state politics.  The Youva Galam yatra was also aimed to remove fear among the people against then regime and their atrocities. 

A Test of Resilience and Strategy

Launched from Kuppam, the Naidu family’s political stronghold, the Yuva Galam Padayatra was designed to cover 4,000 km over 400 days, traversing 150 Assembly constituencies from Rayalaseema to the Andhra coast. The walkathon faced immediate challenges, including the Andhra Pradesh government’s issuance of Government Order (GO) 1, which restricted public rallies following stampedes at TDP events.

Despite these hurdles, Lokesh persevered, covering 3,132 km in 226 days by December 18, 2023, when the Yatra concluded in Visakhapatnam. The padayatra was briefly halted for 79 days following the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu on September 9, 2023, in the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation case, a period during which Lokesh shouldered the responsibility of managing the party’s legal and political affairs.

The Yuva Galam was not merely a physical journey but a strategic endeavour to engage with diverse communities—farmers, youth, women, and marginalized groups—through face-to-face interactions. Lokesh received over 4,353 written petitions and met millions of people, addressing local issues such as unemployment, industrial decline, and governance failures under the YSRCP. His promise to release a job calendar on January 1, 2025, and introduce reforms in education and judicial systems resonated with the youth, who felt neglected by the incumbent government’s policies.

Transforming the Narrative: From “Pappu” to People’s Leader

The Yuva Galam Padayatra was a turning point in reshaping Lokesh’s public image. Initially criticized for his soft demeanor and perceived inaccessibility, Lokesh emerged as a tough, vocal, and assertive leader. His one-on-one interactions, which internal TDP assessments deemed more impactful than public rallies, allowed him to connect with voters on a personal level.

These engagements shifted public perception, with approval ratings for Lokesh reportedly seeing a sharp upward tick. The padayatra’s slogan, “Let’s Walk with Lokesh. Let’s Walk for a Better Andhra Pradesh,” encapsulated his commitment to grassroots engagement and agenda-setting.

Lokesh’s speeches during the yatra grew increasingly confident, addressing contentious issues such as the alleged land grabbing by YSRCP leaders and the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, which he vowed to oppose if TDP returned to power.

His ability to navigate controversies, including accusations of mimicking YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Praja Sankalpa Yatra, demonstrated his growing political acumen. Despite facing criticism for using provocative language, Lokesh’s persistence in addressing local grievances and his willingness to brave scorching heat and logistical challenges earned him respect among TDP cadres and the public.

Political Impact: A Catalyst for TDP’s Revival

The Yuva Galam Padayatra played a crucial role in revitalizing the TDP, which had been demoralized after the 2019 debacle. The walkathon’s success was evident in the TDP’s victory in the 2023 MLC elections for graduate constituencies, a sign of growing public support. Lokesh’s relentless engagement with tier-2 and tier-3 party leaders strengthened the TDP’s organizational structure, fostering unity and boosting cadre morale. Posts on X highlighted the padayatra’s positive impact, noting its role in turning Chittoor, a weak district for TDP post-2019, into a favorable battleground.

The padayatra’s crowning achievement came in the 2024 Assembly elections, where Lokesh contested Mangalagiri again and secured a resounding victory with a margin of 91,413 votes—the third-highest in the state. This triumph, in a constituency the TDP had not won in 39 years, underscored Lokesh’s growing appeal and the padayatra’s role in rebuilding trust among voters. The TDP-led NDA’s formation of the government in 2024 further solidified Lokesh’s position as a key architect of the party’s comeback.

A Mature Leader Emerges

The Yuva Galam Padayatra was, in Lokesh’s own words, “a learning and a Stanford moment,” reflecting his transformation into a humbler, more grounded leader. His resilience in the face of personal and political attacks, coupled with his ability to hold the TDP together during Naidu’s arrest, showcased his leadership qualities.

As the Minister for Human Resources Development, Information Technology, Electronics, and Real-Time Governance in the 2024 NDA government, Lokesh has focused on youth-centric policies, including filling 16,437 teacher positions, launching a mid-day meal program for intermediate students, and aiming to create five lakh jobs in the IT and electronics sectors over five years. These initiatives reflect the promises made during the padayatra, reinforcing his commitment to Andhra Pradesh’s youth.

The grand success of Yuva Galam Padayatra could not be possible without the unflinching support extended by Lokesh’ Mother NTR Trustee N Bhvaneswari, his wife N Brahmani. They both encouraged him, stood by him and played vital role in keeping Lokesh’s spirits high. Both of them played their role behind the scenes. They both should be lauded for the same.