Nara Lokesh’s Padayatra has reached the 100 Days landmark. He already walked close to 1,300 Kilometers out of that 4,000 Kilometers target in 400 days. The significance of this landmark is not just a number but the way Lokesh busted many conspiracies that posed severe challenges to him.
When Lokesh started the Padayatra in Kuppam 100 days ago, there were people who were humiliating him. YSR Congress leaders ridiculed that he would barely last 300 Kilometers. They said he could not talk a word to the people and would only further erode the vote base of the TDP. But cut to now, Lokesh had touched Millions of hearts.
He spoke to the people and learned their problems and on many occasions, offered instant relief. He did not hesitate to take questions. The party has been arranging interaction sessions and Q&A sessions with different sections of the public and Lokesh is taking any question right on his chin.
We have seen him take complicated questions like alliance with BJP by Muslim groups and answered them with ease.
Lokesh was in politics even before 2009. He used to handle the backroom politics of TDP and never came before the public. Being an abroad-return, he had his limitations in conversing in Telugu. The opponents used this to portray Lokesh as incapable and also used to body-shame him.
The decision to induct Lokesh into the cabinet via council also backfired. He was portrayed as an entitled and not good leader. Lokesh’s policy of ‘All work no media exposure’ backfired. The opposition was successful in tarnishing his image and as a result, Lokesh the most successful minister in Chandrababu’s cabinet back then lost his first election.
Such propaganda is easy in the age of Whatsapp and social media but is very difficult to reverse. But Lokesh had pulled off something impossible. He lost excess weight and took classes for speaking in Telugu.
Lokesh did not expose much before the Padayatra. But he was always available to party leaders and cadre. He established a system to fight for those arrested by the Government. Those who spoke to Lokesh were surprised about how he was wrongly portrayed. Now, the public is knowing that side of Padayatra.
Lokesh chose to do a Padayatra for 4,000 Kilometers like no other politician in Telugu history just at the outset of Summer. Lokesh is someone who does not shun away from challenges. He chose the very difficult Rayalaseema to start his Padayatra. It is a YSR Congress stronghold, a difficult terrain to walk, and a harsh summer is coming. But Lokesh took the challenge and the risk paid off for TDP with the victory in the MLC elections.
Usually, big political leaders desert a seat if they lose an election. Mangalagiri was a tricky seat for TDP when Lokesh contested. Even then, he chose to stand there. Everyone is hoping that he would dump Mangalagiri and go to a safe seat in 2024. But Lokesh is going to search for where he lost.
Surveys say Lokesh is ahead in Mangalagiri at least by 15000 votes.
For a leader to appeal to the voters these days, one should have a fit personality, good oratory skills, a sensitive reflexes to human problems, determination to take challenges and focus on the target. In just 100 days, Lokesh proved that he has everything in him.
This impact will only amplify when his Padayatra enters Coastal Andhra. Lokesh will get closer to the public in the remaining 300 days. Add his proven track record as a minister to the above qualities, we are going to see a perfect leader in making when TDP wins.
