Nara Lokesh Appears in Visakhapatnam Court; Minister Asserts Truth Will Prevail
Nara Lokesh, Minister for Education and Information Technology in Andhra Pradesh, appeared in Visakhapatnam Court today regarding a defamation lawsuit he had filed against Sakshi Media in 2019. The case pertains to a report published by Sakshi Media, which alleged that the TDP government had spent ₹25 lakhs on his visit to the Visakhapatnam airport lounge. Lokesh claimed the report was baseless and defamatory, prompting him to take legal action at the time.
Speaking to the media after his court appearance, Lokesh stated, "I have visited the Visakhapatnam airport some times. Sakshi published a false report alleging that ₹25 lakhs were spent on me by the TDP government. I filed a defamation case against them back then." He added that notices were issued to Sakshi Media demanding a retraction and a rejoinder to their unsubstantiated claims.
Lokesh further alleged that such baseless propaganda has been repeatedly carried out without evidence. He emphasized that even during his current visit to Visakhapatnam as a minister, he stayed overnight in a bus parked at the TDP office, without utilizing any government resources. "I didn’t take a single rupee from the government for this visit. Expenses for water bottles, transportation, and other necessities were borne from my personal funds," Lokesh stated, adding that he learned financial discipline and self-reliance from his mother, Nandamuri Bhuvaneshwari.
The minister noted that this was his fourth court appearance for the case, and he expressed his willingness to attend hearings as many times as required. "The truth is on my side, and I firmly believe it will prevail eventually," Lokesh said.
Addressing his political commitments, Lokesh acknowledged that his ministerial duties had limited his ability to conduct regular public marches. However, he emphasized his efforts to address public grievances through initiatives like Praja Darbar, where citizens submit their issues for resolution. "We are working towards solving people’s problems and ensuring development alongside welfare," Lokesh stated.
He also criticized the previous government for leaving ₹3,000 crore in unpaid dues, which the current administration has been clearing gradually. Lokesh expressed his unwavering dedication to any responsibility entrusted to him by CM Chandrababu Naidu. "I work tirelessly to ensure my actions never tarnish the party’s reputation," he concluded.
Speaking to the media after his court appearance, Lokesh stated, "I have visited the Visakhapatnam airport some times. Sakshi published a false report alleging that ₹25 lakhs were spent on me by the TDP government. I filed a defamation case against them back then." He added that notices were issued to Sakshi Media demanding a retraction and a rejoinder to their unsubstantiated claims.
Lokesh further alleged that such baseless propaganda has been repeatedly carried out without evidence. He emphasized that even during his current visit to Visakhapatnam as a minister, he stayed overnight in a bus parked at the TDP office, without utilizing any government resources. "I didn’t take a single rupee from the government for this visit. Expenses for water bottles, transportation, and other necessities were borne from my personal funds," Lokesh stated, adding that he learned financial discipline and self-reliance from his mother, Nandamuri Bhuvaneshwari.
The minister noted that this was his fourth court appearance for the case, and he expressed his willingness to attend hearings as many times as required. "The truth is on my side, and I firmly believe it will prevail eventually," Lokesh said.
Addressing his political commitments, Lokesh acknowledged that his ministerial duties had limited his ability to conduct regular public marches. However, he emphasized his efforts to address public grievances through initiatives like Praja Darbar, where citizens submit their issues for resolution. "We are working towards solving people’s problems and ensuring development alongside welfare," Lokesh stated.
He also criticized the previous government for leaving ₹3,000 crore in unpaid dues, which the current administration has been clearing gradually. Lokesh expressed his unwavering dedication to any responsibility entrusted to him by CM Chandrababu Naidu. "I work tirelessly to ensure my actions never tarnish the party’s reputation," he concluded.