NTR's son might join politics

Hyderabad, Jan 19 (UNI) Nandamuri Bala Krishna, son of legendary actor N T Rama Rao who founded Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and stormed into power in the state in seven months, said he also might join politics.

In an interview with a local TV channel, Bala Krishna said he might step into the shoes of his father N T Rama Rao and surprise every one by entering into politics. ''No one thought that my father will join politics. He has not even discussed his intention to join politics with his family members. In 1982, my father came to Hyderabad from Madras and suddenly announced that he is forming TDP.

In the 1983 elections, he won a landslide victory and for the first time became a non-Congress Chief Minister of the state,'' he added.

N T R's another son Nandamuri Hari Krishna, who was the Transport Minister in Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet, later differed with Mr Naidu and founded 'Anna Telugu Desam Party'.

However this party flopped on the hustings.

After the election debacle, Mr Hari Krishna kept away from politics and acted in some films.

Hari Krishna recently patched up with his brother-in-law Mr Naidu and re-joined TDP, led by Chandrababu Naidu.

It is not yet known if Bala Krishna would strengthen the hands of Chandra Babu Naidu or found a separate party.

Bala Krishna's sister (NTR's daughter) Purandareswari is the Minister of state for Human Resource Development in the Union Cabinet. She won the Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket. Her husband Daggupati Venkateswara Rao also got elected to the State Assembly on the Congress ticket.

UNI