TDP leader and son of Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh, today said the party's focus will be on creating jobs and uplifting the marginalized in Andhra Pradesh. The party won 16 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh and was instrumental in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) winning the elections.
Mr Lokesh said they would continue reservations for Muslims in the state, a policy their alliance partner BJP staunchly opposes.
“This (reservation for Muslims) has existed for 20 years and we stand by it. We plan to continue this,” Mr Lokesh said in an exclusive interview with NDTV.
The 41-year-old said the reservation was not for reconciliation but for social justice as minorities in the state have the lowest per capita income.
“It is a fact that minorities continue to suffer and they have the lowest per capita income. As a government, it is my responsibility to lift them out of poverty. So whatever decisions I make are not about reconciliation, but about bringing them out into the open. of poverty,” he said.
“If you want to make our nation a developed nation, we cannot leave anyone behind. We have to do it together and there is a great opportunity to do it. It has been the trademark of the TDP to bring everyone together,” said Mr. Lokesh. added.
Nara Lokesh played a key role in the party's stellar performance in the Lok Sabha and in the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh. After Chandrababu Naidu's arrest, Mr Lokesh took over the leadership of the TDP and undertook a 4,000 km 'padayatra' to reach out to the masses.
Speaking about Mr Naidu's arrest, the TDP leader said it was a matter of vendetta politics and his father was wrongfully sent to jail for 52 days.
“We are victims of vendetta politics. The rule of law must be implemented equally for everyone. There is no place for vendetta politics in India,” he said.
The leader also dismissed reports that the TDP is eyeing the post of speaker and some key portfolios in the new cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be sworn in on Sunday.
“TDP never negotiates for post, we only negotiate for funds for the state. We do not ask for ministries. Our interest is the interest of the state,” Lokesh told NDTV.
“Strong states make strong nations. We want to be part of a $5 trillion economy dream. We believe that Andhra alone can be a $1 trillion economy. I look forward to working with the NDA,” he added.