Adviser Posts to Common People
Article Today, Amaravati:
CM Surprises All With Unconventional Appointments
In a surprising political move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has broken convention by appointing unexpected individuals as government advisers, bypassing many senior leaders from the TDP-Jana Sena-BJP alliance who were eyeing these posts. Instead of opting for political heavyweights, Chandrababu has chosen people with domain expertise and grassroots credibility—sending a clear message that performance and purpose matter more than popularity or political standing.
‘Forest Man’ Appointed as Adviser to Forest Department
The most recent and striking example of this new approach is the appointment of journalist and environmental activist Ankar Rao, popularly known as the ‘Forest Man’, as the Adviser to the Forest Department. Rao has been working for more than 30 years for the preservation and protection of the Nallamala forests. According to sources, the Chief Minister’s Office recognized his efforts and decided to officially involve him in state forest policy. Interestingly, even Ankar Rao was reportedly unaware of this appointment until it was publicly announced.
Pawan Kalyan’s Interest Behind the Move
There are reports that Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also showed personal interest in Ankar Rao’s work and recommended his name to the Chief Minister. The appointment is being seen as a symbolic gesture, reflecting the government’s intention to include dedicated common citizens in governance. It breaks the long-held notion that only political elites or retired officials get such key advisory roles.
Other Experts Also Chosen for Advisory Roles
This is not the first time Chandrababu Naidu has chosen experts over politicians. In his previous term too, he appointed several eminent personalities as advisers to different departments. These included Dr. S. Somanath, former ISRO Chairman and Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, as Adviser for Space Technology; Suchitra Ella, Padma Bhushan awardee and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, as Adviser for Handloom and Handicrafts Development; Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, former DRDO Chief, as Adviser for Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing; and forensic science veteran KPC Gandhi as Adviser for Forensic Science.
A Vision of Inclusive Governance
Through such appointments, Chandrababu Naidu is trying to redefine governance by bringing in diverse voices and domain experts into the government machinery. By giving roles to people like Ankar Rao, the message is clear: anyone with commitment, credibility, and experience—no matter their background—can be a part of building the state. This inclusive model could inspire more governments to move beyond conventional power-sharing and adopt merit-based advisory systems.
