Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh is getting hold of opportunities to be in No. 2 position in the government.

Lokesh, who played a crucial role in Cabinet expansion, is now ready to strike again by finalising the bureaucratic reshuffle list.

The postings and transfers of district collectors and selection of secretaries to key departments are reportedly being handled by Lokesh. These exercises are to mark his strong existence in the government as he had made in the party.

It is obvious that Lokesh next to the Chief Minister and TD chief in the party as well as in the government.

Though the party has veteran leaders like K.E. Krishna Murthy, Yanamala Rama Krishnudu and Ayyanna Patrudu, still the TD being a regional party, Mr Naidu’s scion Lokesh is expected to be in No. 2 position by default.

But, Lokesh is working to prove that the position is based on his performance, not on political inheritance.

Though playing a crucial role in taking major decisions, he is also coordinating with seniors without ignoring them.

Lokesh is studying in-depth about his department of PR and RD to mark his role in administration and spends time with officials to bring out the best from them.

A TD senior leader observed that the CM was involving and encouraging Lokesh to take decision in significant matters.

He is even guiding Lokesh at times in his independent decisions, if needed.

A senior Cabinet minister said: “The TD being a regional party, we have to accept Lokesh being in No. 2 position and we can approach the Chief Minister or Lokesh in key decisions in various departments, as Mr Naidu is discussing every matter with Lokesh.”

A CMO source said this time, Lokesh had received many representations from ministers requesting for bureaucrats of their choice, which was earlier seen at the CM cabin, and he is trying to maintain the confidence level.

Meanwhile, Minister for urban development P. Narayana said that the Cabinet sub-committee has decided to relax the rules of lay outs approval in CRDA region.

The minister said that the government used to approve the lay outs within 500 metres of inner ring road so far and now the Cabinet subcommittee decided to relax the rules and approve them.