Chandrababu Naidu Swearing-in Ceremony Live Updates: TDP chief sworn in as Andhra Pradesh CM; Pawan Kalyan, Nara Lokesh part of 25-member Cabinet

Stanford graduate and former World Bank official Nara Lokesh, the 41-year-old son of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, is poised to play a key role in Andhra Pradesh's development over the next five years, as reported by PTI. 

In the earlier TDP government between 2014 and 2019, Lokesh served as minister for Information Technology, and he has been inducted again as a minister into the new NDA govt in the state.

Lokesh, who has an MBA degree from Stanford, also worked briefly in the World Bank's e-governance initiative before plunging into Andhra Pradesh politics.

Though his initial foray into electoral politics in 2019 was a failure after he lost to YSRCP's A Ramakrishna Reddy in Mangalagiri Assembly constituency, Lokesh has endeared himself to the electorate in the past five years.

His statewide 'Yuva Galam' padayatra of over 3,000 km became the key to propelling him to one of the largest victories in the 2024 polls, whereby he took the Mangalagiri seat by a margin of over 90,000 votes.

Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, whom Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently described as "not just a breeze but a storm" ("pawan nahi hai, aandhi hai"), actually lived up to that billing in the just-concluded Andhra Pradesh elections, as reported by PTI. 

Kalyan stitched the NDA alliance of TDP, BJP and Janasena together, which emerged triumphant with a landslide victory, sweeping up 164 of 175 assembly seats in the state and 21 of 25 Lok Sabha seats.

Following the victory, he was sworn-in as a minister on Wednesday in the presence of the prime minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several other union ministers.

Kalyan is expected to be entrusted with the Deputy Chief Minister's post -- as mentioned by Shah in his post on social media platform X, congratulating him.

“Congratulations to Andhra Pradesh…Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan…” said Shah.

Pawan Kalyan, the 55-year-old Janasena founder, began his political journey with his older brother Chiranjeevi who founded the Praja Rajyam party in 2008.

Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy took to social media site X to congratulate new Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on his swearing-in. He wrote,"Heartfelt congratulations to my dear friend and senior leader, Shri @ncbn garu, on taking the oath as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. I wholeheartedly wish that under your leadership, Andhra Pradesh will undergo significant development and bring prosperity to its people. @JaiTDP"

'May your leadership bring prosperity and welfare to the state. Looking forward to strengthening the bond and cooperation between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for the betterment of both states,' wrote Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin in a post congratulating Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu after his swearing-in today. 

'Thank you for your wishes, Thiru @mkstalin!,' Naidu responded in a post on the social media site X. 

Ousted from power in Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress on Wednesday sent out a cautionary reminder to the BJP that the central government will need the support of its 11 MPs in Rajya Sabha to pass bills while attacking the ruling party's allies, TDP and Jana Sena Party, for targeting its sympathisers, as reported by PTI. 

Speaking to reporters here, senior YSR Congress leaders flayed the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena for allegedly unleashing violence on their party's sympathisers following the decimation of the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party in the assembly polls.

They complained to President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday over the issue and sought her intervention to bring the guilty to the book.

The TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance swept the assembly polls by winning 164 seats in the 175-member assembly, reducing the incumbent YSR Congress to a paltry 11 seats.

"Thank you Anand Mahindra. I hope that the wishes of industrial giants like you can pave the way for the industrial progress of the state of Andhra Pradesh," TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh's new CM Chandrababu Naidu said in a post on X thanking the industralist for his best wishes after taking oath this morning. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Telugu cinema superstar Chiranjeevi on Wednesday referred to Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan, in separate social media posts, as "Deputy Chief Minister" of Andhra Pradesh, as reported by PTI. 

Pawan Kalyan was administered the oath of office as a minister in the cabinet of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Congratulations to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri@ncbn Ji, Deputy Chief Minister Shri@PawanKalyan ji, and all others who took the oath of office today. It is my firm belief that the NDA government will pivot the state of Andhra Pradesh to new heights of prosperity, fulfilling the aspirations and hopes of the people,” Shah said in his post.

Similarly, Pawan Kalyan's actor brother, while conveying wishes to the new chief minister and minister said, “Best wishes to Deputy CM @PawanKalyan Konidala Pawan Kalyan and the rest of the cabinet.” Chiranjeevi further said he hopes and strongly believes that the cabinet will utilise the opportunity for the all-round development of Andhra Pradesh.

"The oath-taking ceremony shone even brighter today with the presence of our cinema legends. I thank Thalaivar @rajinikanth Garu,  @KChiruTweets Garu, @AlwaysRamCharan Garu, and every superstar who graced the occasion," TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh's new CM Chandrababu Naidu said in a post on X after taking oath this morning.

'I thank the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, for gracing the swearing-in ceremony in Amaravati with his august presence today. I thank Union Cabinet Ministers Amit Shah Ji, JP Nadda Ji, Nitin Gadkari Ji and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Eknath Shinde Ji, and all the dignitaries who illuminated the ceremony with their presence,' TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh's new CM Chandrababu Naidu said in a post on X after taking oath this morning.

In another post he thanked PM Modi for his presence at the ceremony and said that his Government will strive to deliver a people-centric governance. "We're grateful for your commitment to the future of our state," Naidu wrote. 

"Took oath as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at the swearing-in ceremony in Amaravati today. I devote myself to serving the people of my state. Thank you Andhra Pradesh!" TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh's new CM Chandrababu Naidu said in a post on X after taking oath this morning.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer administered the oath to Chandrababu Naidu and 24 other ministere.

PM Modi hugged who flew down to Vijaywada for the event was seen on the dais as Chandrababu Naidu took charge of office.

Later, the PM interacted with Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi, newly elected minister Pawan Kalyan and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth and his wife Latha on the dais.

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and J P Nadda, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde were present.

Former Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu and Ex Chief Justice of India N V Ramana also took part.

1. Chandrababu Naidu
2. Konidela Pawan Kalyan
3. N Lokesh Naidu
4. Kinjarapu Atchennaidu
5. Kollu Ravindran
6. Nadendla Manohar
7. Ponguru Narayana
8. Anitha Vangalapudi
9. Satya Kumar Yadav
10. Dr Nimmala Ramanaidu
11. N Mohammed Farooq
12. Anam Ramanarayana Reddy
13. Payyavula Keshav
14. Anagani Satya Prasad
15. Kolusu Parthasaradhi
16. Dr D Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy
17. Gottipatti Ravi Kumar
18. Kandula Durgesh
19. Gummadi Sandhya Rani
20. B C Janaradhan Reddy
21. T G Bharat
22. S Savitha
23. Vasamsetti Subhash
24. Kondapalli Srinivas
25. Mandapalli Ram Prasad Reddy

To track who gets the Deputy CM role and who gets which portfolio(s): CHECK THIS OUT

Chandrababu Naidu and 24 other ministers have officially taken oath. PM Modi who was present for the ceremony will now head to Bhubaneshwar to attend the swearing-in of the first ever BJP Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi.

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B C Janaradhan Reddy

T G Bharat

S Savitha

Kondapalli Srinivas

Mandapalli Ram Prasad Reddy

Vasamsetti Subhash

Rajnikanth and Chiranjeevi were seen seated next to each other during the oath taking ceremony of Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu and 24 other ministers at Gannavaram today. JanaSena chief and newly inducted minister Pawan Kalyan is the brother of Chiranjeevi.

Gummadi Sandhya Rani is sworn in. There are three women in the Cabinet.  Vangalapudi Anita and S Savitha are the other two

Apart from Pawan Kalyan, Nadendla Manohar and Kandula Durgesh are the two other JSP MLAs. 

Further, Gottipatti Ravi Kumar was also sworn in.

Payyavula Keshav

Anagani Satya Prasad

Kolusu Parthasaradhi

Dr D Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy

Anam Ramanarayana Reddy takes aoth now.

He is a seven-time MLA from Andhra Pradesh.

N Mohammed Farooq takes oath.

The Cabinet has 12 members from Other Category, 8 Backward Class, 2 Scheduled Caste, one Scheduled Tribe and one Muslim. There are three women in the Cabinet.

Dr Nimmala Ramanaidu takes oath as a Cabinet minister.

Others in the Cabinet who were sworn in before him are former minister Kollu Ravindra, and Vangalapudi Anita, Nadendla Manohar, Satyakumar Yadav.

The following leaders were sworn in as Cabinet ministers in to the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP government:

- Nadendla Manohar

- Ponguru Narayana

- Anitha Vangalapudi

- Satyakumar Yadav

Kollu Ravindran takes oath. 

Naidu is being sworn in along with 24 ministers, including Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Konidela Pawan Kalyan, and TDP national general secretary and Naidu’s son N Lokesh Naidu. Three MLAs from the Jana Sena and one from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have found a place in the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet.

After Pawan Kalyan and Nara Lokesh, Kinjarapu Atchannaidu finds a place in the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet.

He is being inducted now.

Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Konidela Pawan Kalyan takes oath as a Cabinet minister of Andra Pradesh.

Chandrababu Naidu is sworn in as the new CM of Andhra Pradesh

Chandrababu Naidu who will take oath as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh now reached the venue with PM Modi.

He will be sworn in along with 24 other ministers in the Cabinet.

Andhra Pradesh CM-designate Chandrababu Naidu who will be taking oath in a few minutes will reach the dais with PM Narendra Modi who has flown down from New Delhi for the event.

He landed at the Vijaywada airport at 10.40 am and is headed to the event near Kesarpalli Park in Gannavaram

Ahead of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu's swearing-in as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, the Congress poses a question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is set to arrive to the oath taking ceremony venue shortly.

The Opposition sought clarity on whether the PM would deliver the special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared on X his speech in the Rajya Sabha from seven years ago about the Modi government's "failure" to deliver on the promise of the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014.

"I made this speech in the Rajya Sabha seven years ago, about the Modi Government's failure to deliver on the promise of the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014. Unfortunately, it still holds true today. Unless (Chandrababu) Naidu garu takes this issue up aggressively, there is little hope that the? 'one-third' Pradhan Mantri will act," Ramesh said.

Ahead of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu's swearing-in as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, the Congress poses a question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is set to arrive to the oath taking ceremony venue shortly.

The Opposition sought clarity on whether the PM would deliver the special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared on X his speech in the Rajya Sabha from seven years ago about the Modi government's "failure" to deliver on the promise of the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014.

"I made this speech in the Rajya Sabha seven years ago, about the Modi Government's failure to deliver on the promise of the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014. Unfortunately, it still holds true today. Unless (Chandrababu) Naidu garu takes this issue up aggressively, there is little hope that the? 'one-third' Pradhan Mantri will act," Ramesh said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaches the venue near Kesarapalli Park in Gannavaram. He landed in Vijayawada last evening.

He is joined by former BJP party president and newly inducted Union minister J P Nadda

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaches the venue near Kesarapalli Park in Gannavaram. He landed in Vijayawada last evening.

He is joined by former BJP party president and newly inducted Union minister J P Nadda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Health Minister and BJP president J P Nadda, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Coals and Mines G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of States Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and several senior BJP leaders will attend the ceremony.

New Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu will be sworn in along with 24 ministers including Jana Sena Party chief Konidela Pawan Kalyan, and TDP national general secretary and Naidu’s son N Lokesh Naidu.

Three MLAs from the Jana Sena and one from the Bharatiya Janata Party have found a place in the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet. 

Two other JSP MLAs apart from Pawan Kalyan are Nadendla Manohar and Kandula Durgesh.

Naidu would be taking oath for the fourth time as Chief Minister—twice during undivided Andhra Pradesh, and today for the second time after bifurcation.

The NDA in Andhra Pradesh, comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena, secured a brute majority in the Assembly with 164 seats. In the Lok Sabha polls that were conducted simultaneously, the alliance got 21 of the 25 parliamentary constituencies in the state. 

In the 175-member Andhra Pradesh Assembly, the cabinet can have 26 ministers, including the chief minister.

Pawan Kalyan’s JSP won both the Lok Sabha seats it contested. In the Assembly elections, held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls, the JSP ended up as the second biggest party, with victories on all the 21 seats it contested and pushing the incumbent YSRCP to third position. The JSP fought the elections as part of an alliance with the TDP and BJP.

Kalyan’s impact was felt on two fronts in the elections – one, he worked as the glue that bound voters of the Kapu community, to which Kalyan belongs, to the TDP-BJP alliance; and second, he attracted scores of young voters to campaign rallies and possibly, polling booths.

Naidu is scheduled to be sworn in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh today.

Naidu drew from his own experience — he was master strategist for TDP founder and his father-in-law Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao’s (NTR) in the 1980s — to ideate and lead from the front. 

The TDP also joined hands with a political consultancy, ShowTime Consulting (STC), which would prove to be a vital cog in Chandrababu Naidu's comeback plan.

“Under Naidu’s guidance, STC got down to work and began restructuring the party by establishing communication channels with the cadre and the second-rung leadership. We also focussed on bringing back the 6,000-odd panchayat-level leaders who had defected or were forced to defect to the YSRCP during the 2019 elections,” says STC Director Shantanu Singh.

“If you send me (and my party) to the Assembly, only then will Andhra Pradesh see development. Else, this will be my last election,” Chandrababu Naidu said in November 2023, months ahead of the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Many saw in the appeal, which came at the end of a tumultuous five years for Naidu and his party, the desperation of a man who was down and out and at 73, possibly staring at the end of his political career.

Cut to six months later: He has managed to effect a stunning turnaround of fortunes, winning 136 of the 144 seats to come back as CM for the fourth time, while his allies — Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP) and BJP — have added 29 more seats, reducing the YSRCP to 12. 

Union Ministers Amit Shah, JP Nadda arrived at Gannawaram airport in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night to attend the oath-taking ceremony of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu today. General Secretary of the TDP, Nara Lokesh received them at the airport and escorted them to Chandrababu Naidu's residence.

Reviewing the arrangements for the ceremony, newly appointed AP Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad was quoted by PTI as saying that the prime minister is expected to leave from Delhi for Gannavaram Airport at 8.20 am and arrive by 10.40 am on Wednesday.

According to the tentative schedule, Modi is expected to reach the venue by 10.55 am to participate in the swearing-in ceremony from 11 am to 12.30 pm.

The political event of the day will now be held near the Kesarapalli IT Park at Gannavaram in Krishna District. Here is why:

The reasons for the shift appear to be purely logistical. Multiple leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and representatives from the central government, the BJP, and other political parties are expected to be present at the ceremony. The IT Park is located close to the Vijayawada International Airport (less than 1.5 kilometers) and is less than 20 kilometers from Vijaywada city.

The IT Park ground where the swearing-in is set to take place has a seating capacity of 50,000 people, covering around 18-20 acres of land, which may prove necessary. 

Why not Amaravati?

Amaravati is nearly 35 kilometers from the Vijaywada airport which raises a host of logistical concerns considering the political stature of those expected to attend.

For context: If the swearing-in was to be held in Amaravati, at least six helipads would have to be built, to facilitate movement from the airport to Amravati. 

“Amaravati will be the capital of our state. We will aim to develop the entire state, not just a few places,” Naidu said while making the announced at a meeting on Tuesday.

Taking a dig at outgoing CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, who had said he would develop Visakhapatnam as the administrative capital and take oath there, Naidu said the people had responded to the idea by defeating the YSRCP in Visakhapatnam.Reddy had floated the idea of decentralised development in the state with Amaravati as legislative capital, Visakhapatnam as administrative capital, and Kurnool as judicial capital.

The TDP chief is scheduled to take oath at 11.27 am near Medha IT Park opposite Gannavaram Airport in Kesarapalli on the outskirts of Vijayawada.

"With all your cooperation, I am taking oath tomorrow (as the CM) and I would like to thank you all for that. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming for the swearing-in ceremony,” Naidu said at the NDA Legislative Party meeting held at Vijayawada yesterday.

Naidu said he has asked for the central government's cooperation for the state and said it was "assured" to him.

Welcome to the live blog!

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is set to be sworn in as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh for a fourth term today -- stay with us as we bring you latest updates from the highlight political event -- for the BJP and its key ally TDP -- of the day.