Political parties go hitech

VV Balakrishna

Express News Service

Hyderabad, December 25:
In the run up to the next elections, almost all the parties are weaving a ``web'' around voters. Several political parties have launched their own websites in the State in order to spread their message directly to voters and to catch tech-savvy young voters.
It was first the Telugu Desam Party which started its own website in the State. Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who was known as hitec Chief Minister, launched his party website. Perhaps, TDP was the only party which was updating the site on a daily basis. The video clippings of regular press briefings of party leaders were posted immediately. The party also had a net radio for NRIs.
If you log on ``www.telugudesam.org'', you will be exposed to a variety of party information including ring tones, caller tunes. TDP started to accept donations online. There were so many link sites which would throw information on TDP chief Naidu, party founder NTR and the party's relentless campaign against Babhali. The party also had a NRI site and another website for NTR Memorial Trust, through which the party is organising several welfare and medical services.
Lok Satta Party, which committed to cleanse the present corrupt and hereditary politics, was next to launch a website ``www.loksatta.org''. The website provides information on the `50 guarantees' promised by LSP president Jayaprakash Narayan. LSP is also accepting online donations and also wanted the netizens to post their comments.
The AP State Congress also launched its own website after D Srinivas took charge as PCC chief. If you click on ``www.apcongress.org'', AICC president Sonia Gandhi's photo welcomes you. The website provides information about the Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, PCC chief D Srinivas and the welfare measures taken up by the Congress Government in the State. Instructions to party leaders were also posted on a regular basis on the website.
The newly launched Nava Telangana Party (NTP) too is not lagging behind. One can read information about the Telangana culture, history and other details on the NTP's website ``www.navatelanganaprajaparty.com''. The party also provide Telangana songs, Telangana struggle and the irrigation potential in the region.
The CPM State wing too has a website ``www.cpimap.com'', but it was last updated in April 2004. The website had photos of CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu participating in the agitation against power tariff hike in the TDP regime. Though the party shook hands with TDP, the website provides little information.
Though Praja Rajyam Party founder and cine actor Chiranjeevi is attracting youths towards him, the party so far did not have a website. However, Pawan Kalyan today launched NRI wing of the party. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the State wing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too do not have websites.

vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Balaiah’s remarks cause ripples in TDP

VV Balakrishna 26 Dec 2008 04:04:00 AM IST
HYDERABAD: It is ‘star trouble’ in Telugu Desam Party. It seems heroes from NTR family are causing troubles to party Chief N Chandrababu Naidu.It was Balakrishna, the star campaigner for the party in the next elections, who created embarrassment to Naidu by saying that if people wanted him to become the chief minister, he would become one. This statement caused much discomfiture to TDP leaders.Notwithstanding Balaiah’s assertion, the TDP leaders maintained that Balakrishna was not that ambitious and recalled his statement at Yuva Garjana in Guntur that his aim was to see Naidu as the chief minister.Balakrishna might have talked of Chief Minister’s post only after he was grilled by reporters, they maintained.Speaking to reporters here Thursday, party leader E Dayakar Rao said that there was no doubt that Naidu would become the Chief Minister.Balakrishna too decided to campaign for the party only to make Naidu as Chief Minister.Interestingly, Balakrishna is not member of the TDP though he had been campaigning for the party since NTR launched the party.Taraka Ratna, another hero of NTR family, is also causing embarrassment to Naidu by repeatedly saying that Balakrishna should become the Chief Minister, if TDP was voted to power. However, he was calmed down by the family members. Tarak, later, amended his statement by saying that he only said that Balakrishna would be the future Chief Ministerial candidate and Naidu would be the next Chief Minister.Tarak, however, was creating troubles to party leadership. A realtor, who joined the party recently in Nizamabad district, invited Tarak to unveil NTR statue in Bodhan. The realtor was an aspirant of TDP ticket.However, his opponents, reportedly called up Naidu and informed him about the development. According to sources, Naidu asked Tarak not to unveil the statue and cancel his scheduled visit to Bodhan. Tarak assured Naidu that his tour would be limited to Ayyappa puja organised by the local leaders. Meanwhile, NTR Jr too caused some embarrassment to party leaders by skipping the Yuva Garjana meeting.Balakrishna may launch his campaign after Sankranti and tour the state for a month. NTR Jr too would campaign for the party before elections, a party leader said.
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Rare happenings seen in 12th Assembly

VV Balakrishna
HYDERABAD: First Published : 23 Dec 2008 08:53:01 AM

For the first time, after the enactment of the Anti-defection Act in the Parliament, three members of the 12th Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly have been disqualified by Speaker K R Suresh Reddy under the Act.

The Assembly has also witnessed some `rare happenings’.

Besides, disqualification of three TRS MLAs for defying party whip and supporting an independent candidate in the Legislative Council elections, the Assembly was witness to a majority of legislators resigning for various reasons. The Assembly also debated a no-trust motion against the Speaker for the first time. However, the no-trust motion moved by the TRS and TDP was defeated at a special session of the House. As far as legislators resignations are concerned, as many as 16 members of the Legislative Assembly belonging to TRS resigned paving way for the byelections.

The TRS members resigned at the directive from TRS leadership, which blamed the Congress for delay in carving out a separate Telangana state. TRS MLAs resigned and sought a fresh mandate only to expose the Congress. However, the TRS retained only seven out of 16 Assembly seats it held.

Meanwhile, several MLAs belonging to Congress, BJP and TDP resigned either to switch their loyalties to other parties or they were elected to the Lok Sabha.

Majority MLAs switching their loyalties was also a rarity in the present Assembly.

TDP deputy floor leader T Devender Goud (Medchel) submitted his resignation to float his own outfit Nava Telangana Party (NTP).

Congress MLA Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu (Puttur) recently resigned to re-join the TDP. P Dorababu, a BJP MLA from Pithapuram, submitted his resignation on the floor of the House during the winter session of the Assembly to the Congress.

TDP MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao (Chodavaram) resigned and joined PRP.

Though SV Subbareddy and G Veerasiva Reddy were more loyal to the Congress party, the TDP wanted the Speaker to disqualify Veerasiva Reddy for violating party whip during the vote on no-trust motion against the Speaker. Vijayawada East MLA Vangaveeti Radhakrishna (Cong) crossed over to to PRP.

He, however, did not submit his resignation till date but quit the Congress party.

TDP MLA E Dayakar Rao (Wardhannapet) and Congress MLA K Indrakaran Reddy (Nirmal) resigned after they were elected for Lok Sabha in the byelections.

In the latest incident, six TRS rebel MLAs submitted resignations to avoid disqualification.

Speaker accepted their resignations and disqualified another three rebel TRS MLAs. With this the vacant seats in Assembly rose to 18.

Congress days are numbered: Balaiah

VV Balakrishna
NAGARJUNA NAGAR: First Published : 06 Nov 2008 09:09:00 AM
Nandamuri Balakrishna, son of TDP patriarch NT Rama Rao, who made a re-entry into TDP, called upon his fans to see that the TDP regain power in the State. ``The days of Congress are numbered in the State,’’ he roared at a massive Yuva Garjana rally here today.

Striking an emotional chord with his fans and TDP activists, Balakrishna aka Balaiah to his fans, said that he belonged to every caste.

R eproducing some puchy dialogues from his blockbusters, Balaiah enthralled the audience. He added local flavour to the speech by referring to local leaders like Palnati Brahmanaidu, Manchali and Alluri Sitaramaraju.

During his 25-minute speech, Balakrishna mainly focussed on Congress-bashing while sparing Chiraneevi and PRP. The first part of speech was devoted to praise showers on TDP-founder NTR. When NTR launched his party he never informed anyone nor invited anyone into the party, Balakrishna said in a oblique reference to Chiranjeevi’s efforts to woo leaders from other parties.

NTR was a he-man, Balaiah said while explaining the welfare schemes launched by his father. He also lauded the services of N Chandrababu Naidu as Chief Minister.

``While NTR brought recognition to Telugus worldwide, Naidu encouraged Telugus to prove their talent,’’ he said.

Naidu started several engineering colleges and developed infrastructure.

``Naidu’s nine-year rule was an ideal rule. Bring back TDP to power to serve you better,’’ Balakrishna exhorted his fans.

I n an vitrolic attack on YS Rajasekhara Reddy Government, Balaiah said that there were no communal clashes in TDP regime like in the present Congress rule. Farmers were suffering a lot due to non-avaialbility of fertilisers and lack of minimum support price for their produce.

Balakrishna’s speech was like mix of cinema and politics. After starting his speech with filmi dialogues showcashing his dialogue delivery skills, Balakrishan later swiched onto political mode. He even blamed the Congress for cheating its alliies after winning the elections in 2004. Congress dumped the parties with which it had forged alliances, he alleged.

U nemployment raised its head in Congress rule, he said and asked his partymen to teach a befitting lesson to the Congress in the next elections. He concluded his speech with `Jai TDP, Jai NTR and Jai chandrababu.’’
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Yellow fever grips coast

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 06 Nov 2008 09:12:00 AM
NAGARJUNA NAGAR (Guntur Dt):

The Telugu Desam Party seems to be riding high again in Coastal Andhra.


That the bounce is back after a dispiriting four and a half years, was evident from the beaming faces of party leaders and cadres, for the turnout at the Yuva Garjana here far surpassed everyone’s expectations.

D eployed after almost 13 years, it looks as if the film glamour of the NTR clan will stand the party in good stead in the coming elections.

Balakrishna, Harikrishna, Kalyanram and Taraka Ratna attended the meeting, and their fans accounted for a large expanse of the yellow sea that the venue resembled.

Though the meeting was scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm, TDP activists and fans began pouring into Vijayawada and Guntur early in the morning itself. By 2:30 itself the 100-acre venue of the meeting was filled to capacity. The enthusiasm of the audience was undiminished all through -- right up to the close of the meeting at 7:30 pm and well after.

Especially lusty were the cheers for Balakrishna and party chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

“The meeting will go down in the annals of the political history of the State. It is not likely to be matched in future,’’ exulted Naidu.

The success of the meeting also sent a clear signal to the TDP that it had taken the right decision on statehood for Telangana issue, with the Yuva Garjana being the party’s first public meeting after it’s U-turn on T. Many TDP activists said they had no objection to a separate Telangana, as the development of Andhra too would accelerate after bifurcation.

Said an ebullient youth, Rajendra from Krishna district: “I never expected such a large crowd at a TDP meeting after Chiranjeevi’s launch. I am so thrilled at the response!’’ Ninety percent of the audience were aged between 18-35. As youth would play a key role in the next elections, this was a big morale booster, said an activist. The biggest attraction, undoubtedly, was Balakrishna with every punchline, often drawing on dialogues from his films, eliciting delirious cheers, especially: “Kanti chooputo Congress avineeti nirmulista’’.

“I saw on TV Chiranjeevi addressing meetings in Srikakulam. But the dialogue delivery of Balakrishna was simply superb. Balaiah is an asset to the TDP,’’ gushed Ramarao, a party worker from Attili.

Harikrishna too assured the crowd that the heroes from the NTR family would imbue in every household in the State the urge to vote out the Congress.

The speeches of Balakrishna and Naidu focused on Congress’ corruption.

The former did not make any reference to Chiranjeevi or Praja Rajyam, but the latter pooh-poohed the PRP’s slogan on bringing about a change in politics.

A fter Balakrishna completed his speech, senior TDP leaders on the dais vied with one another to congratulate him. And Chandrababu Naidu was seen flashing a smile time and again during the three-hour meeting.

vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Pawan Kalyan, Balakrishna calling the shots

VV Balakrishna 22 Dec 2008
HYDERABAD: ‘Power star’ Pawan Kalyan and ‘Yuva Ratna’ Nandamuri Balakrishna are calling the shots in their respective parties. Both the stars, who had enormous following in the tinsel world, are now proving themselves as ‘star managers’ for their parties.
Pawan Kalyan was instrumental in roping in Vijayawada East MLA V Radhakrishna to the party fold. He spoke to Radhakrishna and convinced him to join the party. Pawan Kalyan was made president of the youth wing of Praja Rajyam Party recently. He also got good response for his recent tours in Rangareddy and Hyderabad districts.

Meanwhile, Balakrishna is also proving to be a good star manager for Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
At a time the TDP was facing crisis, his entry into active politics boosted the morale of party cadres.
Balakrishna was instrumental in roping in two MLAs Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu and K Lakshmi Naidu into party recently.
Balakrishna also prevailed upon party senior leader Ambika Krishna not to leave the party. He rang up several leaders, who were planning to quit TDP and join PRP. According to insiders, Balakrishna was meeting party leaders from various districts.
He is willing to meet leaders and people in East Godavari from December 28, where he will stay for some days for film shooting.
Pawan Kalyan with his modest behaviour was attracting youths and elders alike. Pawan did a lot of homework along with his friends in the cine field to search talented youths to form ‘Yuva Rajyam’.
Both the heros will remain ‘star campaigners’ for their parties in the next four months.
While Pawan Kalyan has decided to launch his campaign from Kondagattu in Karimnagar on December 26, the itinerary and style of campaign of Balakrishna has not been decided yet. However, party sources confirmed that Balakrishna may kickstart his campaign after Sankranti.
Balakrishna is willing to contest in the next elections.
However, Pawan Kalyan will remain as lead campaigner for PRP.

TDP to present Dasara ‘gift’ to Telanganites

07 Oct 2008 06:16:00 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The Telugu Desam party (TDP), which was founded to protect the ‘self-respect’ and unification of Telugus, will take a pro-Telangana stand Tuesday.

The 26-year old party will present a Dasara gift to Telangana people by deviating from its earlier stand of united Andhra Pradesh.

The party’s five-member core committee on Telangana, which met twice earlier and elicited the opinions of party seniors on the issue, Monday submitted its report to party chief N Chandrababu Naidu. Committee members K Yerran Naidu, Y Ramakrishnudu, E Dayakar Rao, KE Krishna Murthy and N Janardhan Reddy called on Naidu at his residence Monday.

A majority of party leaders, especially from the Rayalaseema and Andhra regions, told the committee that they would have no objection if the party took a pro-Telangana stand.

The committee told Naidu that the majority opinion in the party was in favour of statehood for Telangana.

The committee also discussed other issues with Naidu such as similar demands from Rayalaseema and Andhra.

The Politburo, the party’s highest policy-making body, will meet tomorrow to discuss the committe’s report and is likely to take a pro-Telangana stand. But it is not known if the party will announce its pro-Telangana stand tomorrow itself or wait for the right time to do so.

‘‘We have discussed several issues with Naidu. We only briefed him on the outcome of our meetings with leaders. You will hear more tomorrow,’’ a member told to this website's newspaper. He meant that the party would take a decision Tuesday.

According to sources, the Politburo will adopt a resolution favouring formation of Telangana state. The wording of the resolution will be simple and straight, without going into details. It will, in a way, serve the interests of the party in all the three regions. After taking the pro-Telangana stand, the party may withdraw its letter given to the UPA Sub-Committee on Telangana.

The party will assure Telangana people that it will work for adoption of a resolution by the Assembly on State’s division, if voted to power. It may also consider introducing a private resolution in the last session of the present Assembly.

G Butchaiah Chowdary, a senior leader from Andhra, told to this website's newspaper that the party would take a decision tomorrow.

Welcoming the change in party’s stand, he said a pro-Telangana stand would not harm the interests of the party in the other regions. In fact, Andhra too would be developed if Telangana was carved out, he opined.

vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

TDP ‘rethinking’ on Babu’s tall promises

VV Balakrishna
20 Sep 2008 04:37:00 AM IST

HYDERABAD: As feared, the promises made by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu during his 117-day Meekosam Yatra across the State are turning out to be an albatross around his neck.

The TDP’s manifesto committee, which met today at the party office, found that the party would not be in a position to explain how the promises could be implemented as they ranged from providing domestic gas connections to women free of cost and reducing prices of domestic gas refills, to free distribution of text books to the children of poorer sections up to SSC.

The other promises that need a re-look include sanctioning of power connections to agriculture pump-sets to farmers on tatkal basis, waiver of loans taken by pledging the ornaments of women, and providing two pairs of uniforms to students studying in government schools.

The six-member manfesto committee, after examining the number of promises the party chief had made, concluded that the list had to be pruned to make it seem serious, discussed threadbare and reviewed.Headed by former finance minister Y Ramakrishnudu, the manifesto committee classified Naidu’s 208-odd promises into three categories — policy, financial and review.

For instance, inclusion of Dalit Christians among SCs was a policy matter and required no financial commitment. Thus, the party put the letter ‘P’ on the file. Promises such as free distribution of rice and 12-hour free power supply for farmers during daytime needed huge finances. Thus, the committee put ‘F’ on the file. But, the promises which would be difficult to implement because of legal problems or for want of finances, or which were beyond the jurisdiction of the State Government, such as the promise of domestic gas refills, had to be reviewed once again.

The party put ‘R’ on all such promises.

The ruling Congress leaders repeatedly alleged that Naidu was promising everything under the sky for want of power and that they were not practically implementable.

But, TDP leaders countered the allegation saying all the promises made by Naidu were viable. But now, the party is ‘rethinking’ on around 15 per cent of the 208 promises made by Naidu.

TD may announce stand on T on Oct 2

The party feels that any delay on the issue would cost them dearly
VV Balakrishna
28 Sep 2008 04:32:00 AM IST

HYDERABAD: TELUGU Desam Party (TDP) is likely to announce its stand on Telangana on October 2.

Before embarking on his second leg of Meekosam Yatra on that day, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is likely to announce the party’s pro-Telangana stand which is a departure from his unified Andhra policy.

The party leadership feels that any delay in announcing its stand on Telangana would cost its prospects dearly. So, the party has decided to announce its stand well before the next Assembly elections.

The party may withdraw its letter written to UPA sub-committee on Telangana.

TDP may adopt a resolution seeking separate Telangana in the Assembly, if it is voted to power in the next elections.

Though, the party took a pro-Telangana stand, the TDP, which is till now committed to formation of states on linguistic basis, is unlikely to spearhead any agitation for Telangana.

Meanwhile, the five-member committee of the party on Telangana elicited the opinions of party State committee leaders today.

Several leaders told the committee that they had no objection to change in party’s policy, if the party leadership feels that pro-Telangana stand and having an electoral alliance with TRS would benefit TDP in the next elections.

However, leaders from Telangana like M Narasimhulu suggested that TDP taking a pro-Telangana stand would not alone suffice, the party should launch an agitation for separate state.

vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

TD looking for ‘winning horses’

VV Balakrishna
19 Sep 2008 03:55:00 AM IST

HYDERABAD: The search is on for ‘winning horses’ in Telugu Desam Party (TDP). TDP which is leaving no stone unturned to regain power in the State, has started the exercise of identifying ‘potential’ candidates for the next Assembly elections.
TDP leadership is planning to announce the names of candidates four to five months ahead of the elections enabling the candidates to concentrate on their segments. TDP feels that it would help the winning chances of the party.
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu made some preliminary assessment on the probable candidates.
While discussing with the district party leaders about the candidates during his 117-day ‘Meekosam yatra’, Naidu enquired about the style of functioning of the aspirants and the popularity they enjoy among the public.
In continuation with this, the party incharges of Lok Sabha constituencies would tour their respective segments shortly and submit a report to the party chief before September 30. In the next leg of tours, they would identify three to four aspirants in each Assembly constituency and submit the list to the party chief.
The party has already announced that it would give 100 tickets to Backward Classes. It is likely to leave 50 seats to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in the region and an equal number of seats to the Left parties.
This time cine heros of NTR family will have a say in the selection of candidates. Balakrishna and NTR Jr may request Naidu for a handful of tickets to their followers. Naidu, who want to utilise their services, is willing to concede to their demands.
However, the names of candidates in Telangana region may be finalised only after seatsharing with TRS is through.
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Political parties scouting for suitable alliances

VV Balakrishna

04 Sep 2008 03:43:00 AM IST

Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: With the political situation becoming fluid in the State in the run up to the next elections, all the parties are keeping options open as far as alliances are concerned. All the Opposition parties are exploring two or three options with regard to alliances to fight the Congress. The newly launched Praja Rajyam Party kept its options open and is in touch with the CPM. It did not miss the opportunity to meet CPM leader Sitaram Yechuri on wednesday. Though the CPM is dropping enought hints about its tie up with the TDP, CPM leaders also indicated that they would decide about an alliance with PRP, provided it announced its economic policies. The CPM is trying to asssess the public pulse after Chiranjeevi embarked on a State tour. The Chiru camp is also in touch with the TRS. As Chiranjeevi’s popularity was less in Telangana region, the party is likely to take a pro-Telangana stand to get more number of seats. On the other hand, the main Opposition TDP, which is leaving no stone unturned to return to power in the next elections, is looking at TRS, CPM, CPI and BSP for alliances. The TDP dumped the BJP after the debacle in the last elections. At present, the TDP is holding discussions with party leaders on taking a pro- Telangana stance deviating from its earlier united Andhra stand. It is also working in tandem with the TRS in the Assembly. The TDP, which is part of the United National Progressive Alliance, is already in touch with the CPM and working with the Communist to form an alternative to Congress and BJP at the Centre. Even Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which claimed to fight the elections on its own, is looking at Praja Rajyam and TRS. BJP leader L K Advani called on Chiranjeevi after he floated Praja Pajyam. The other BJP leaders had a dialogue with TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao. On its part, CPM is not averse to include TRS in the grand alliance that is in the making in the State. This is to ensure that the Opposition votes are not split, as it happened in 2004 elections. Besides associating with TDP, the CPM is also exploring the possibility of having a tie-up with Praja Rajyam. The CPI, which is pushing for a third alternative in the State, may go with the TDP if directed by the Central leadership. Otherwise, it will continue its friendship with Congress. The Lok Satta Party recently constituted a five-member committee to study the options of having poll alliances with other parties. But, which party moves with whom will be decided only after a few months. vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

KCR to meet Left leaders

VV Balakrishna
04 Oct 2008 07:33:00 AM IST

Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandraskehara Rao has left for Delhi today on a mission to mobilise support of the Left in the next general elections. Already there were enough feelers both from the TRS and the TDP that they will have seat adjustments in the next elections in the Telangana region. Now, the TRS chief is on a mission that is likely to be useful both for the TDP and TRS. During his Delhi visit, Rao will meet CPM leaders Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury and CPI senior leader AB Bardhan on October 5. Chandrasekhara Rao has already met CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu recently and both the leaders are understood to have decided to work together in the next elections keeping their ideological differences apart. The main aim is to keep the Congress at bay. However, Raghavulu informed Rao that any policy decision on poll alliances would be decided by their national committee. That is why Rao was meeting Left party leaders in Delhi. Meanwhile, CPI State secretary K Narayana, who is adopting a rigid stand to keep the TDP out of the grand alliance in the making, is peeved over TRS chief ’s inclination to sail with the TDP. However, Narayana changed tack and proposed two-and-a-half years term each for TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and PRP founder Chiranjeevi. Though, Chandrasekhara Rao met Narayana recently both the leaders failed to break the ice. Though, both the parties decided to have a joint visit to Polepally SEZ during their interaction, Narayana ignored Chandrasekhar Rao when he drove to Polepally yesterday. In this backdrop, TRS chief has decided to meet CPI leader AB Bardhan and prevail upon him on the future political alliances and force Narayana to fall in line. vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Chariots of the stars set to roll

VV Balakrishna

12 Sep 2008 02:48:00 AM
HYDERABAD: Come Dasara, stars will cross swords blurring the thin line between the real and the reel worlds. While Chiranjeevi is all set to embark on his rath yatra by this monthend to cover every nook and corner for his Praja Rajyam, the TDP, which stands directly in the megastar’s firing line, is going to unleash its own "home-made" weapon –– NTR’s son and hero N Balakrishna. In all probability, he will launch his rath yatra after Dasara to shield the party from ‘mega’ inroads. The exact date for Chiranjeevi’s yatra has not yet been finalised but he may set out from Arasavilli in Srikakulam district after constituting party committees. Balakrishna, who extended his support to the TDP at a recent meeting with party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, is no stranger to poll campaign for he has been canvassing for the party off and on ever since its inception but that has been confined to a handful of constituencies. This time around, though, it’s going to be a full-time job for him for obvious reasons. According to party sources, the ‘Yuva Garjana’ rally of the party will be held in the last week of this month or in the second week of October in Guntur district. Balakrishna along with other actors of the NTR family - Hari Krishna, NTR Jr and Kalyanram - will take part in the rally. He may kickstart his yatra from Guntur itself. However, his first maiden public appearance post-Chiru entry into politics will be in Kollapur, Mahaboobnagar district next week for the unveiling of NTR’s statue. Confirming his active role in TDP, Balakrishna on Thursday said, "my aim is to bring the TDP back to power." Asked if he would attract youth to the party, he said, "the youth have always been with the TDP. It was they who had benefitted the most under the nine-year TDP rule." Balakrishna, who participated in a poor-feeding programme at the Basava Tarakam cancer hospital, however, said the dates for his campaign were yet to be finalised.

Babu takes T with a smile

By VV Balakrishna

Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: In a decision that is bound to usher in far reaching changes in the state polity, Telugu Desam Party president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced that his party would favour creation of a separate Telangana State, ending the three-year-long suspense on his party’s stand on the issue. Naidu made the announcement after the party politburo discussed the decision of its core committee on Telangana and adopted a resolution favouring a separate State.With it, decks have been cleared for an alliance that Naidu is keen to forge with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the two Left parties –– CPI and CPM. According to party insiders, Naidu rang up TRS chief K Chandrasekhara Rao and leaders of the two Left parties last night to inform them of his decision. The TDP chief ’s announcement could not have come at a better time. It has forced both the Congress and the Chiranjeevi-led Praja Rajyam on the defensive. Chiranjeevi, who has hit the streets in Srikakulam district this evening, will have to clarify his stand on Telangana since it is now more or less certain that the outcome of the 2009 general elections will hinge on the issue. PCC president D Srinivas, who hails from Telangana, had no other option but to welcome Naidu’s decision for he knows fully well the repercussions of a word against Telangana. The Congress will now be under tremendous pressure to find ways to win the hearts of the Telangana people in the face of a spirited attack from the TDP-TRS-Left formation for its ‘doublespeak’ on Telangana. ‘‘Let us see what the Congress will do now,’’ said Naidu, sounding like the Grandmaster after making a perfect move. Though he claimed that the decision was an endorsement of the opinion of the people of Telangana, it seems the TDP has come out with its new chorus only to sew up an electoral alliance with the TRS and ride to power in the State in the next elections. ‘‘I am 100 per cent sure that both the Andhra and Telangana people will welcome our decision and my party will come back to power,’’ Naidu said. The TDP, which appeared to be in a hopeless situation just six months ago, has got a new lease of life with the TRS sending signals that it is not opposed to working with the TDP and the CPM, with which it has sealed an alliance. Though the CPI is a little ambivalent in choosing between Naidu and Chiranjeevi, leaders of the party admit that the party will have to toe the CPM line. Another advantage the TDP-led alliance would have in future is that if the people of the two other regions - Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra - are convinced that Naidu will be able to win a majority of the seats in the Telangana region, they may vote for him since people tend to support a party on the ascendancy.