Nandamuri Balakrishna, actor-son of Telugu Desam founder-president and former chief minister NT Rama Rao, seems to be in a dilemma over choosing a constituency to contest from in the 2014 Assembly elections.
Will it be Gudivada in Krishna district as party chief and brother-in-law N Chandrababu Naidu wants it or Hindupur in Anantapur district as Balaiah himself wishes?
Naidu and Balaiah have their own reasons for their opinions. It is but natural for Balaiah to choose Hindupur which was represented by his father. NTR was often quoted as having named Balakrishna as his successor in films and politics. No wonder then that the son would opt for his father's constituency.
Now that he has decided to enter into active politics and contest the 2014 elections, the party cadre is jubilant and is debating which seat will be a safe bet for him.
As backward class vote is considered crucial in Telangana and coastal Andhra regions in the next general election which will be fought bitterly by the three major parties Congress, TDP and the YSR Congress. TDP chief wants to play safe by fielding Balakrishna in Gudivada, NTR's home town and is believed to have advised Balakrishna to concentrate on the constituency.
There is another reason for Naidu for asking Balaiah to concentrate on Gudivada which has been in TDP's kit since 1983, except once in 1989. He wants to improve the party's network in the district and retain all Kamma leaders in TDP's fold. Rumours are strong that Naidu's decision to field Balakrishna from Gudivada was the actual reason for sitting MLA Kodali Nani revolting against Naidu.
But the actor views things differently. He wants to follow in his father's footsteps and reassure people in backward regions that the TDP stood by them and would champion their cause against all odds.