TDP founder late N.T. Rama Rao's actor son N. Balakrishna Wednesday filed nomination for Andhra Pradesh assembly but his elder son N. Harikrishna criticised party chief and brother-in-law N. Chandrababu Naidu for denying him the ticket. Balakrishna, a popular Telugu actor, entered the electoral politics by filing nomination for Hindupur assembly seat in Anantapur district.
He told reporters that while he has not come into politics for any position, he would not say no if he gets a chance to become the chief minister. The 53-year-old said he would develop Hindupur as the number one constituency in Andhra Pradesh. He also promised to re-name the district after his father, a legendary actor who represented the constituency thrice. TDP never lost an election in Hindupur since the party was founded by NTR in 1982. Meanwhile, the differences in NTR's family came to the fore again as Balakrishna snubbed his nephew and young actor Junior NTR, saying there is no need for the party to request anybody to campaign. "All members of the Nandamuri family should work for the party's victory and there is no need to make a request to anyone," he said when asked if the party would rope in Junior NTR for the campaign.
Balakrishna's elder brother and Junior NTR's father Harkrishna came down heavily on Chandrababu Naidu for not giving him ticket to contest the assembly election. Harikrishna, who was elected from Hindupur in 1995 in a by-election caused by his father's death, said he was an aspirant for party ticket from Hindupur and had made this demand during TDP politburo meeting. Harikrishna said he was hoping that the party would at least field him from one of the assembly constituencies in Krishna district. He said some people in the party were making a false propaganda that he did not ask the ticket.
Harikrishna is reportedly unhappy with Naidu for promoting his son Lokesh as his successor as he is keen to see his son Junior NTR taking reins of the party. The actor-turned-politician was also angry when some TDP leaders close to Naidu made fun of his resignation from Rajya Sabha over Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation. Balakrishna's daughter is married to Lokesh, who is also campaigning for the party. Both Balakrishna and Junior NTR had campaigned for TDP in 2009 elections but the party failed to return to power. Junior NTR had since distanced from the party but had stated on some occasions if invited he would campaign for the party. NTR had created a record by coming to power within nine months after floating the TDP. He died in 1995, a few months after his son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu ousted him from power.
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