Even before the controversy over missing of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s name in the invitation card for the Prime MInister Narendra Modi’s Amaravati visit was resolved by issuing fresh invitations, including Pawan Kalyan’s name, along with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the full-page advertisements issued in the media on this occasion also resulting in uproar.
In the full-page advertisements issued in all major newspapers, there are tall photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on one side and Chief Minister Chandrababu on the other. In this ad, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, a photo of AP IT and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh has also been placed.
Jana Sainiks are angry that this advertisement is giving an impression that Lokesh is given equal status of a Deputy Chief Minister. Though his ministry is nothing to do with the Amaravati construction activity, giving place for his photo only reportedly intended to send an indication that Lokesh is `designated deputy chief minister’.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is treating his son and minister Nara Lokesh no less than Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan giving him key place in all official engagements. In cabinet meetings, Pawan Kalyan, as Deputy Chief Minister, is seated on one side and on the other side, Nara Lokesh is seated opposite Pawan Kalyan without any difference. This has been going on for a long time.
However, practically all ministers are equal and the Deputy Chief Minister will not enjoy any special status, except in protocol. Now, controversy arose keeping Lokesh, ignoring the photo of minister for administration minister Dr P Narayan, who is practically incharge for all Amaravati construction activities. He has been seen at the field level for the past few days and has been working hard to restart the work of Amaravati.
Never, Lokesh visited Amaravati to look after these activities, or he is not part of the cabinet sub-committee formed to look after arrangements for the Prime Minister’s visit. Even official circles also noticed this and expressed apprehensions that this will give an impression that the government is just Chandrababu, his son Lokesh, and Pawan Kalyan, but the entire cabinet is `faceless’.