Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the Auto Driver Service Scheme on Saturday. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and IT Minister Nara Lokesh joined the event. They took auto rides, wore khaki shirts, and personally paid the drivers for the rides.
Speaking at the event, Lokesh said he often reads the quotes written behind autos and believes they reflect the thoughts of auto drivers. He recalled how his grandfather, legendary NTR, played a driver in Driver Ramudu.
Lokesh added that his father-in-law, Hindupur MLA Balakrishna, also wore the khaki shirt in Lorry Driver. He mentioned that Pawan Kalyan too played a driver in Attarintiki Daaredi, drawing cheers from the gathered auto drivers.
Lokesh said auto drivers talk politics from the panchayat to the national level and stay deeply aware of issues. Smiling, he added, “It’s your word of mouth that turned ‘Why not 175’ into ‘Why not 11’,” winning loud applause from the crowd.
The new government scheme offers ₹15,000 in financial aid to eligible auto drivers identified under the Chandrababu Naidu administration.
