RAPTADU, Andhra Pradesh, September 22, 2026 (Journalist File) — Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday challenged former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to a public debate on the state’s District Selection Committee (DSC) recruitment process, while warning that attacks or alleged misconduct against teachers would not be tolerated.
Lokesh was speaking at Raptadu in Anantapur district after unveiling statues of former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party founder N.T. Rama Rao and former minister and TDP leader Paritala Ravindra. He first paid floral tributes to the statue of B.R. Ambedkar before addressing a gathering of party workers and supporters.
Lokesh said he had repeatedly offered to debate Jagan Reddy on the DSC process and again asked whether the former chief minister was prepared for such a discussion.
Lokesh recalls TDP leaders and cadre
Speaking about the TDP's political history, Lokesh said the party's growth had been built on the commitment and sacrifices of its grassroots workers.
He said NTR had introduced several welfare and social measures during his tenure, including subsidised rice and equal property rights for women, and described NTR's political legacy as central to the TDP's identity.
Lokesh also paid tribute to Paritala Ravindra, saying the former MLA and minister had remained committed to the party's ideology throughout his political career.
Referring to the violence faced by TDP workers in the region in earlier years, Lokesh said Ravindra and his family had continued their political activities despite threats and attacks. He also acknowledged the role of Paritala Sunitha and Paritala Sriram in continuing the family's political association with the party.
AMCA project cited as major opportunity for Anantapur
Lokesh said the government was working to attract major industrial and infrastructure investments to the Anantapur region.
He referred to the proposed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme and said efforts had been made to bring the fighter-jet manufacturing project to Anantapur.
He said providing irrigation and drinking water and creating industrial opportunities would remain important priorities for the region.
Lokesh also recalled his Yuva Galam padayatra and said the experience had given him an opportunity to understand local issues directly.
Calls for coordination among coalition partners
With local body elections expected to be held in the future, Lokesh urged TDP workers to remain active at the grassroots level.
He said the TDP, Jana Sena Party and BJP were working together in the state and called for continued coordination among the coalition partners.
Lokesh said differences between leaders should be resolved internally and that once a collective decision was taken, all members should abide by it.
He also urged party workers to remain connected with the public and focus on service rather than internal differences.
Warning over alleged attacks on teachers
Lokesh strongly criticised what he described as attacks and inappropriate behaviour directed at teachers and said those violating the law would face action.
He questioned why teachers had become the target of political confrontation and reiterated his challenge to Jagan Reddy for a debate on the DSC recruitment process.
Lokesh also alleged that individuals had been sent to target teachers and objected to reports of eggs being thrown and abusive language being used against them. He said teachers deserved respect and that unlawful conduct would not be ignored.
He said the government would follow the law in dealing with those accused of violations.
Promise to support Yuva Galam participants
Lokesh said he considered it significant that he had unveiled the NTR and Paritala Ravindra statues in Raptadu on the birthday of Paritala Sriram.
He recalled the people who had accompanied him during the Yuva Galam padayatra and said he would continue to stand by those who had supported him during that period.
He thanked the people of Raptadu for the welcome extended to him and called on party workers to continue working among the people ahead of the local body elections.
MP B.K. Parthasarathi, Minister S. Savitha, Raptadu MLA Paritala Sunitha, TDP in-charge for Dharmavaram constituency Paritala Sriram, Hindupur Parliament TDP president M.S. Raju, MLAs Palle Sindhura Reddy, Bandaru Shravani and Daggubati Venkata Prasad, former minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy, zonal coordinator Reddappagari Srinivasa Reddy, Hindupur Parliament TDP general secretary Hanumappa and others attended the programme.
