YSR Congress party is gearing up to target newly-elected Telugu Desam Party MLC Nara Lokesh, once he enters the assembly in the capacity of a Cabinet minister next week.

If the cabinet expansion takes place as per the expectations, Lokesh will take oath as minister on April 2. And from Monday, April 3, he will get the authority to enter the assembly.

Many TDP leaders believe that Lokesh would add strength to this father chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu who has been under severe attack from Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. Though Naidu is countering Jagan onslaught, his energies definitely are not enough to face this attack.

That is precisely why the TDP leaders think Lokesh will bear most of the brunt of opposition attack. Since he is also young and educated, he will take on Jagan, thereby reducing the pressure on his father.

However, sources say Jagan has laid out a strategy for Lokesh. He is likely to pitch his trump card MLA R K Roja to trouble Lokesh.

Whenever Lokesh raises to attack the opposition, Roja will launch a counter attack and put him on the defensive. Jagan will raise his voice only when Naidu gets up.

“Jagan is of the view that Lokesh does not match his stature and that only Naidu is his rival. So, he will intervene only when Naidu enters the debate. For tackling Lokesh, Roja is enough,” a YSRC leader observed.