Balayya To Contest Next Polls

Former chief minister NTR's son and noted film actor Nandamuri Balakrishna on Sunday announced his entry into active politics.

Talking to a private news channel while participating in a stars' cricket match at Anantapur district, Balakrishna said that he would contest the next general elections. However, he was yet to decide on the constituency.

Stating that he considered all constituencies equal, Balakrishna said that he would not confine himself to any particular region. He said that he would play an active role in the Telugu Desam Party, and claimed that he has no intention of becoming Chief Minister at this point of time.

Balakrishna said that he would first strengthen the party, and popularize his schemes, by taking them to the ground-level.

The actor's statement assumes importance in the wake of an ongoing war for succession between the Nandamuri and Nara families.

NTR's son Harikrishna had, earlier, accused Chandrababu Naidu of trying to overshadow NTR's image by not giving the Nandamuri family importance in the party.

However, to bridge the gap between the 2 families, Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani was married to Naidu's son Lokesh. On the other hand, Harikrishna has been trying to gain control of the Telugu Desam Party by using his son, NTR Junior.

However, with Balakrishna's entry into active politics, the TDP's war of succession is likely to be intensified further. (INN)