HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s camp is trying to rope in Telegu cine star Mahesh Babu to lend some glamour to the Congress party in the state. The development comes in the light of NTR’s son and actor Balakrishna showing keen interest in contesting in the 2014 general election on a Telugu Desam ticket. Balakrishna enjoys a major fan following in coastal Andhra.
Though Chiranjeevi has become a part of the ruling Congress, Mahesh Babu’s presence at Congress election meetings is expected to electrify the crowds. Therefore, apart from utilising Chiranjeevi’s services, the Congress is keen on having Mahesh Babu as its poster boy.
A section of Kiran Kumar Reddy’s close aides is frequently holding discussions with Mahesh Babu’s father and former Congress MP G Krishna who is a big fan of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. Krishna supported the Congress on every occasion and lauded former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s leadership. Though Congress leaders are trying to persuade Mahesh Babu to be on their side, there has been no assurance from the leading actor so far. He did not campaign for the Congress during the 2009 elections. One Congress leader said: “The Telangana movement is behind us. The entire Telugu film industry is backing the Congress government. Leveraging on this, the party wants to use film glamour to net as many votes as possible.