It’s Two Years for Yuva Galam

January 27 marks two years of Yuva Galam, Nara Lokesh’s padayatra in AP. He was in Vizag today to appear in Sakshi defamation case.

When reminded about completing two years, Lokesh told the scribes an interesting anecdote. He said while joining Stanford for MBA, he had to answer as to why he wanted to join Stanford. Lokesh said he thought Stanford was the right place to help him learn to make a smooth transition from business to politics.

He added that once in Stanford, he realised it was good for business. It was during Yuva Galam Lokesh said pada yatra was like an MBA for politics.

He said he understood the needs of people thoroughly after Yuva Galam. Lokesh said he now understands the depth of an issue when he is approached or when he gets a message because of Yuva Galam.

He realised he wanted to be with people and amongst people after the historic pada yatra. Though he has responsibilities as a minister now, he underscored his wish to be among people.

I started praja darbar for the same purpose, said Lokesh. He clarified that post was not important for him. When asked if one would see him as a CM or deputy CM, Lokesh said he was a party worker at the core and would like to remain as one.

He said he made many promises to people during Yuva Galam and he was slowly implementing each one of the promises.

On a personal note, Lokesh said that he felt no one in the party should be in a role for more than three terms. He clarified that it was how he felt and it had nothing to with party higher-ups or leaders.

Lokesh said he didn’t want to be TDP’s general secretary as it’s his third time. He said he wanted to see everyone in the party progressing. It was for higher-ups to make a final decision though, said Lokesh.