Did Andhra Minister Lokesh Personally Fund His 77 Flights to Hyderabad?
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Synopsis
In a revealing twist, RTI inquiries show that Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh funded his own 77 flights to Hyderabad, dismissing accusations of misusing public funds. This unexpected disclosure has stirred political debate and raised questions about accountability in governance.
Key Takeaways
- Nara Lokesh financed his own flights to Hyderabad.
- RTI responses confirmed no travel expenses were claimed.
- TDP defended Lokesh against YSR Congress Party accusations.
- Political implications of this revelation may affect future governance.
- Importance of transparency in public officials' travel expenditures.
Amaravati, Nov 27 (NationPress) Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh personally financed his 77 flights to Hyderabad, as revealed by responses to Right To Information (RTI) inquiries submitted by an activist.
Documents from multiple departments under the Minister indicate that he did not seek reimbursement for travel expenses.
Nara Lokesh holds the position of Minister for Human Resources Development, Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, and Real Time Governance.
He is the offspring of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) stated that allegations by the opposition YSR Congress Party claiming that Lokesh traveled to Hyderabad 77 times via a special aircraft were 'blatantly false.'
According to the TDP, "None of these trips were personal, but Minister Nara Lokesh paid for them out of his own funds," in a post on X.
The TDP emphasized that the RTI findings confirmed that Lokesh has not withdrawn even a single rupee from the departments he oversees for these journeys.
Documents from the Higher Education Department, Skill Development and Training Department, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, and Department of Real Time Governance responded to the RTI requests made by activist Kodamala Suresh Babu from Guntur district.
All four departments confirmed that Minister Nara Lokesh did not claim any travel expenses.
Leaders from the YSRCP have been critical of Minister Nara Lokesh for his frequent flights to Hyderabad, alleging misuse of public funds for personal travels.
They asserted that Lokesh had taken 77 flights to Hyderabad since the TDP-led coalition came to power 18 months ago, visiting the city weekly.
With RTI responses clarifying that Minister Lokesh personally financed these flights, TDP leaders have countered the accusations made by YSRCP.
The ruling TDP accused the opposition YSRCP of making unfounded claims against the Minister.
Point of View
The recent revelations about Minister Nara Lokesh financing his own flights highlight an important discussion on political accountability. While the TDP defends Lokesh's actions, the opposition's claims raise valid concerns about transparency in government dealings. This case may set a precedent for future scrutiny of public officials' travel expenditures.
NationPress
27/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Nara Lokesh claim travel expenses?
No, Minister Nara Lokesh did not claim any travel expenses according to RTI responses.
How many flights did Nara Lokesh take?
Minister Nara Lokesh took 77 flights to Hyderabad.
What departments are under Nara Lokesh?
Nara Lokesh oversees the Human Resources Development, Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, and Real Time Governance departments.
What accusations did the YSRCP make?
The YSR Congress Party accused Minister Lokesh of misusing public money for personal trips to Hyderabad.
What is TDP's response to the accusations?
The TDP refuted the allegations made by the YSRCP, stating that Lokesh funded his trips personally.
