Chandrababu, who earlier procured Pegasus equipment for phone tapping, is now being followed by his son and minister Nara Lokesh, who has allegedly put his own party MLAs under surveillance through loyalists. The responsibility of collecting call lists has been assigned to trusted aides. Lokesh is reportedly tracking who is in touch with whom. Despite having intelligence and policing systems in place, he is said to be relying on informal networks.
The collection of call records of a key aide of a BJP MLA by Vijayawada MP Kesineni Chinni has created a stir not only within TDP but also among alliance partners. There is growing concern that call data and movements of several MLAs are being closely monitored. Allegations are emerging that this surveillance is driven by fear that MLAs may turn against him. MP aides themselves state that call lists are being collected only on Lokesh’s instructions.
Chandrababu and Lokesh driven by Insecurity
Following the path of Chandrababu, who is said to distrust even his own shadow, his son Lokesh is now adopting similar methods. Surveillance has reportedly been intensified on leaders within the party and alliance. Despite the existence of intelligence and police systems, responsibilities are being handed over to loyalists to track MLAs, their aides, and leaders.
Chandrababu has a history of coming to power through unconventional political strategies and failing to implement promises, leading to public discontent. In such situations, it is natural for leaders to fear internal dissent. During the 2014–19 period, Chandrababu was accused of procuring Pegasus software and equipment to secretly collect call data of opposition leaders. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had publicly made these allegations.
Now, as TDP shares power with Jana Sena and BJP, there is concern that alliance partners may attempt to influence or attract MLAs. At the same time, failure to implement “Super Six” and manifesto promises, along with strong public campaigns by YSRCP, has increased pressure on Chandrababu and Lokesh. With rising public support for YS Jagan and YSRCP, there is growing anxiety about potential defections, leading to increased surveillance on leaders’ movements and communications.
Kesineni Chinni collecting MLA Call data
On Lokesh’s instructions, Vijayawada MP Kesineni Chinni is reportedly collecting call data of MLAs within his parliamentary constituency. Ongoing differences between the MP and Tiruvuru TDP MLA Kolikapudi Srinivas are also believed to be a factor behind this move.
There are suspicions that some MLAs in the Vijayawada parliamentary segment are supporting Kolikapudi. Among them, a BJP MLA allied with TDP is suspected to be a key figure. As a result, call lists of a person managing constituency affairs on behalf of that BJP MLA were reportedly collected. It is also being reported that call records of the Tiruvuru MLA and other MLAs from Nandigama and Vijayawada are being gathered.
Anger among BJP MLA Circles
In constituencies where BJP MLAs have limited direct presence, their key aides manage local affairs. With such aides becoming influential, monitoring their call data has exposed who they are in contact with and when. This has led to tensions, with the BJP MLA’s aide and supporters reportedly confronting the MP.
The issue has escalated into a major controversy. The BJP MLA is said to have complained to Chief Minister Chandrababu, but the lack of response has led to serious dissatisfaction. While aides of Kesineni Chinni claim that call data collection is being done on Lokesh’s instructions, supporters of MLAs question why such tasks are being assigned to MPs when intelligence systems already exist.
Within TDP, leaders are internally discussing that such actions reflect established patterns, where sensitive operations are carried out through unofficial channels under instructions from top leadership.
