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Naidu's son hoists flag fuelling rumours of his entry into politics

The speculations that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu is planning to introduce his only son N. Lokesh into active politics gained ground on Friday when the latter unfurled the national flag here on Independence Day.

  • IANS
  • Published: 23:58 August 15, 2008
  • Gulf News

Hyderabad: The speculations that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu is planning to introduce his only son N. Lokesh into active politics gained ground on Friday when the latter unfurled the national flag here on Independence Day.

Lokesh, making his first public appearance, hoisted the tricolour at the NTR Model School. He did the honours in the absence of his father, who is the chairperson of the NTR Trust that runs the school.

The former chief minister, who unfurls the flag at the school every year, is away in Anantapur for the culmination of his state-wide 'yatra' or tour.

This was also the first time that any member of Naidu's family has attended a public function.

His family members never attended political or official functions when he was chief minister of the state from 1995 to 2004.

Lokesh's public appearance set off speculations that Naidu is grooming his son for politics ahead of the next year's elections.

Lokesh, who did his MBA from Stanford University in the US, is helping his mother Bhuvaneshwari in the family businesses, including the Heritage Food company. Last year, he married Brahmini, the daughter of his maternal uncle N. Balakrishna, a popular Telugu film star and TDP founder NTR's son.

Naidu had earlier stated he was not against Lokesh joining politics. The development is significant in view of the interest NTR's family members are taking in the party affairs.

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