Nara Lokesh Biography:
Nara Lokesh, born on 23 January 1983, is an Indian politician. He is the son of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu. Lokesh has held various ministerial positions, including Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, IT, and Communication, through an MLC post.
Criticism arose regarding Lokesh’s appointment as a minister without contesting elections. However, amidst scrutiny, Lokesh eventually contested as an MLA for the Mangalagiri Assembly Constituency in the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections. Unfortunately, he lost to the YSR Congress Party candidate, Alla Ramakrishna Reddy.
The 2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Elections marked a significant political setback for both Lokesh and his father, Chandrababu Naidu. The Telugu Desam Party managed to secure only 23 seats out of the total 175, marking one of its worst defeats in history.
Nara Lokesh Education:
Lokesh holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Management Information Systems from Carnegie Mellon University.
Nara Lokesh Political Career:
Lokesh embarked on his political journey within the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Rising through the ranks, he assumed various pivotal roles within the party. In 2014, Lokesh ascended to the position of TDP’s General Secretary and became a member of the Politburo, the party’s highest decision-making body. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in managing the party’s affairs, liaising with party workers and constituents, and shaping party policies and strategies.
Notably, Lokesh asserted in January 2013 that the Direct Benefit Transfer System, later adopted by the Congress party under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, stemmed from a proposal initially put forth by the TDP to the central government.
In 2017, Lokesh secured a seat in the Legislative Council, marking his formal entry into state politics. Despite not having won a direct election, he held significant positions both within the party and in the state of Andhra Pradesh. His father, N. Chandrababu Naidu, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, appointed him as a cabinet minister overseeing the portfolios of IT, Panchayati Raj, and Rural Development in 2017.
However, Lokesh faced electoral defeat in 2019 when he contested from the Mangalgiri constituency, narrowly losing by a margin of 5,337 votes to Alla Ramakrishna Reddy, a close aide of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Lokesh’s tenure saw notable achievements, including spearheading the TDP’s membership drive, which added over five million new members to the party. The innovative use of digital technology, such as tablets, live data feeds, and a real-time dashboard, facilitated the enrollment and management of party members, marking a pioneering effort in the country.
Additionally, Lokesh has been actively involved in the NTR Memorial Trust, particularly in its healthcare, education, skills enhancement, and disaster management initiatives. He oversees the Trust’s disaster response program, which provides assistance during natural calamities.
Under Lokesh’s leadership, the TDP conducted a successful online membership drive, attracting over 53 lakh new members to the party.
Furthermore, on January 27, 2023, Lokesh embarked on the Yuva Galam Padayatra, a 400-day journey covering 4,000 kilometers from Kuppam to Ichchapuram, aimed at engaging with the youth of Andhra Pradesh and addressing their concerns.
Nara Lokesh Marriage:
In 2007, Lokesh entered marital bliss with Brahmani, who happens to be his first cousin on the maternal side and the daughter of actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna. Their union has been blessed with a son named Devansh. Apart from his political endeavors, Lokesh is known to be a food enthusiast, relishing culinary delights. He cherishes spending leisurely moments with his young son whenever he finds a moment of respite from his busy schedule.
Nara Lokesh Awards & Recognition:
In 2018, Lokesh received several prestigious accolades for his pioneering use of technology in addressing various issues, particularly in the domain of Panchayati Raj. He was honored with the “Skoch Person of the Year” award for his innovative approach towards resolving challenges related to drinking water supply, ensuring transparency in governance, and other initiatives undertaken within his Panchayati Raj portfolio.
Adding to his list of achievements, Lokesh was bestowed with the “Digital Leader of the Year” award by Business World magazine at the Businessworld Digital India summit in New Delhi. This recognition applauded his outstanding utilization of technology for effective governance.
Furthermore, Lokesh’s commendable efforts in integrating technology into rural governance were acknowledged by the Kalam Centre for Livable Planet Earth and Sustainable Development. As a result, Andhra Pradesh was awarded the innovation award in the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development category, with Lokesh himself receiving the esteemed Kalam Innovation in Governance Award in 2018.
Demonstrating his global prominence, Lokesh was invited to represent India at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Entrepreneurship Summit and Annual Meeting of World Champions in Tianjin, China, in September 2018. Additionally, he achieved the unique distinction of being the sole Indian politician nominated to the WEF’s Network of Global Future Councils (NGFC) in the subsequent month. This interdisciplinary knowledge group focuses on deliberating agile governance in response to emerging technologies and business models.
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