Nara Lokesh: I know my limits, I don't intrude

Vijayawada: IT, PR and RD minister Nara Lokesh condemns rumours of his involvement in the state administration, outside of his portfolios. He says that he has never intruded on the CMO’s territory or any other minister’s working. He says that he hasn’t looked at the list of transfers and postings of IAS and IPS officials, except for the transfer details of a single DSP. He mentions that he has never overstepped his limits.

Mr Lokesh gave his views to this newspaper on Friday. Following are the excerpts:

How has your experience of working with the government been, as compared to handling party affairs?

It is an entirely a new role, with the highest level of responsibility. As government serves the public, I am spending most of my time on it, and I really love it.

Do you care to comment on the criticism that you have received for entering into the government through the Council?

I don’t want others to sacrifice their Assembly membership for me. At the same time, it was entirely the party’s decision. I wish to contest for an MLA seat in the 2019 elections.

What is your rapport with senior ministers?

I have known almost all the senior ministers since my childhood. I have everyone’s support; and we are collaboratively working towards a common goal, which is the development of the state.

Your comment on reports of ministers being kept waiting for hours at your peshi? Recently, minister Atchannaidu was kept waiting for over two hours, what do you have to say about it?

I deny the reports of ministers being kept waiting for hours at my peshi. It is only possible if someone comes to see me directly, without a prior appointment, while I am stuck attending to other scheduled appointments. Minister Atchannaidu had to be kept waiting for a while because I was in a discussion with senior minister and party AP president Mr Kala Venkat Rao, regarding the Nandyal byelection.

How do you react to criticism regarding your involvement in the affairs of other ministers?

These are all hypothetical and rumours. Except for the MNREGA convergence meetings, I have never gotten involved in the affairs of others. I have enough clarity on where my involvement is needed.

What is your comment on the misuse of MNREGA funds?

We have recovered Rs 5 crore, out of the Rs 23 crore that was misused. In the three years of our rule works worth Rs 13,000 crore have been carried out, '23 crore is a small amount in comparison. We are, however, taking all the necessary measures to recover the remaining amount.

What is your comment on defections? How do you justify the defections that you have encouraged?

No one encourages defections. It was the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy who initiated defections. Many of the people who have defected have done so because they are dissatisfied with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s attitude. They want their constituencies to develop and Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy is against development.

Do you think political management is missing in the addressing of issues? Ministers and leaders aren’t taking up the responsibility of addressing issues such as Garagaparru.

It is Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy who is provoking unrest between communities and religions. I agree that there have been a few lapses in political management, we will rectify it.

The TD cadre and leaders are reportedly disgruntled because they feel that positions have been allotted in an unjust manner. What is your comment on this?

No chance! We have given leaders 2.5 lakh positions in Janma Bhoomi Committees, Water User Committees, and other committees, which have enhanced their respect in the public. We are implementing their recommendations. It is quite natural to have higher aspirations, but we are working out possibilities to satisfy the leaders while adhering to social justice.

There are allegations that Mr Pawan Kalyan is your weapon to dilute issues and gain favour for the TD while the party is in a crisis?

It is completely false that TD is using Mr Pawan Kalyan to dilute issues. Mr Pawan Kalyan has been with us since the 2014 elections, and the same relationship continues between the TD and the Jana Sena, and also the BJP.

Your comment on TD being the reason for Mr Venkaiah Naidu’s exit from active politics? Is it a loss for the TD?

I deny all these allegations. We will have his support, wherever he may be.

Your comments on Mr Mudragada Padmanabham being stopped from conducting a padayatra? Do you expect such actions to elicit resistance against the TD government from members of the Kapu community?

Earlier, when permission was given, the Tuni rail incident took place. The government is now conscious about any other unpleasant happenings in the state. There isn’t any rel-ation between the Kapu community and Mudra-gada Padmanabham; he is just following YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy’s agenda.

How do you react to the comments made by Jagan Mohan Reddy, at Nandyal, regarding the Chief Minister?

I condemn Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s comments about shooting the Chief Minister. He never had any respect towards elders. Earlier, he spoke about hitting the CM with a chappal, holding his collar, and now this. He should remember that the Chief Minister is as old as his late father would have been. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy will forever remain in the Opposition because of his cruel comments. There isn’t any truth in allegations of corruption.

In the midst of your busy schedule, how are you coordinating with your family members?

I am missing them. I stay at Amaravati, while they reside at Hyderabad. I am missing Devansh very much, but the state is my highest priority right now, more than my family.