Party spokespersons are expected to be sharp, articulate, and well-informed. They represent their party on public platforms and are responsible for defending its stand with clarity, logic, and confidence. However, many spokespersons of regional parties today are increasingly appearing unprepared for serious national-level debates.

A recent example is TDP spokesperson Deepak Reddy, who unintentionally embarrassed his party during an interview with Arnab Goswami. When he stated that “Lokesh is taking care of the civil aviation issue,” Arnab immediately questioned in what capacity Lokesh had any role in civil aviation matters. Deepak Reddy, unable to give a convincing reply, was heavily trolled on social media.

The following day, Pattabhi appeared on the same program as the party’s “savior,” but he too struggled. Many viewers felt he did not even grasp Arnab’s question properly, leading to further criticism.

This issue is not exclusive to the TDP. YCP spokespersons also face similar challenges. Many of them perform confidently in local media—often divided into what the public calls “yellow media” and “blue media”—but they falter when questioned by national journalists who are more direct and demanding. Local spokespersons excel at attacking rival parties in friendly studios, but their real abilities (or limitations) become visible only on neutral, national platforms.

One major problem is the excessive dependence on top leadership. Spokespersons of regional parties rarely present independent thought. Whether it is Chandrababu Naidu or Lokesh in the TDP, or Jagan Mohan Reddy in the YCP, spokespersons feel obliged to repeatedly invoke their leaders’ names, even when it is unnecessary. Local party ecosystems often do not encourage individual talent, and any rising figure who gains recognition beyond the state tends to be viewed with suspicion.

In the Arnab incident, Deepak Reddy could have handled the situation better. When asked about the civil aviation issue, he might simply have said: “As this portfolio falls under the Union Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet, I cannot comment on the specifics.” That would have been a safe and sensible response.

Instead, his statement triggered another discussion altogether. Some TDP insiders claim Deepak Reddy may not have misspoken—that Nara Lokesh is indeed closely overseeing civil aviation-related matters behind the scenes. According to these reports, a section within the party is concerned about Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu’s rapid political rise, fearing it may overshadow Lokesh in the future. This has allegedly resulted in Lokesh’s team taking a keen interest in the civil aviation ministry.

Speculation in Delhi political circles suggests that Ram Mohan Naidu faces resistance from a coterie surrounding Lokesh, and that any growing influence of the young Union Minister is being viewed as a potential challenge to the party heir. Whether these claims are true is something only TDP leadership can clarify.

Nevertheless, many agree that certain unseen forces within the party are uncomfortable with Ram Mohan Naidu’s increasing popularity. In parties where leadership hierarchies are rigid, the rise of someone close to the heir-apparent almost always triggers internal friction.

For now, these developments remain speculative. It will be interesting to observe how these internal dynamics unfold and what they mean for the political future of both leaders involved.