TDP honcho Chandrababu Naidu is not known to trust astrologers.
But after being eight years out of power—and not because of the lack of trying—Naidu has decided to follow the advice of his brother-in-law and film actor Nandamuri Balakrishna while choosing an auspicious time to set off on his 117-day yatra to drum up popularity in the state for the coming elections.
He hopes God will be right beside him as he embarks on a 2,320 km pada yatra (walkathon) from October 2. His proposed pada yatra is meant for wooing people and erase the image of late chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy from the minds of people.
Rajasekhara Reddy walked nearly 1,475 km and captured power from TDP. Now, Rajasekhara Reddy's son Jagan Mohan party is giving a political threat to Naidu. So, Naidu is a little worried over the future and wants to launch his pada yatra either from Kodangal in Telangana or Hindupur in Rayalaseema region.
At this juncture, Naidu’s brother-in-law Balakrishna reportedly consulted the astrologers and took their advice. In turn, Balakrishna informed Naidu about the astrologers’ advice. Naidu, who is in a dilemma over when and where to start pada yatra, followed the advice of astrologers. In all likelihood, Naidu will start from Hindupur in Anantapur district. “We have consulted the astrologers. They zeroed in on these two places,” TDP leader Kambapati Rammohan said.
It may be recalled that when Vaastu of NTR Bhavan, the TDP headquarters in Hyderabad, appeared not good, Balakrishna personally visited NTR Bhavan along with Vaastu pandits and made suitable changes to the party office.
However, Naidu is neither a superstitious person nor an atheist. He occasionally visits Tirumala along with his family. He mixes with devotees and go in the regular queue lines.
Asked about Vaastu changes made to NTR Bhavan last year, Naidu laughed it off and did not give any reply.
Apart from astrology and Vaastu, Balakrishna is also understood to have prompted Naidu to take the advice of film personalities. Accordingly, Naidu held discussions with film writers, leading directors like Raja Mouli and Srinu Vytla. They gave several suggestions to Naidu on how to impress public with body language and modulations. Top lyricists Suddala Ashok Teja, Anata Sriram and others penned six songs to attract masses during Pada yatra of Naidu. Leading music director Vandemataram Srinivas is composing the music for the songs.
-Sunday Standard