Balakrishna says he can lead TD if needed

Actor Balakrishna, son of the late NTR, dropped a bombshell on Monday by saying he would not mind taking over the reins of the Telugu Desam if required.

“If I get a chance I will not step back (from taking over the reins of the party)," he said while taking part in a chat show in a private TV channel. “I don’t know how things will shape up in future.”

Balakrishna’s name had been proposed by a section of leaders as party president after the defeat of the TD in 2009 polls. He also got support from his stepmother Lakshmi Parvathi, when he visited her recently.

His supporters were of the view that since Mr Naidu’s luck has run out the party could rope in Balakrishna to head the party while the former could focus on national affairs. However, Mr Naidu shot down the proposal. Balakrishna’s latest comments are seen as a direct threat to the TD president and could also intensify the dissidence against him.

The actor, fresh from the huge success of Simha, however, hastened to add that he had not taken any decision in this regard and was presently focussing on films. Balakrishna has got several film offers including one with Dasari Narayana Rao titled Param Vir Chakra and another untitled film with Puri Jagannath.

Along with Junior NTR, Balakrishna had also campaigned for the TD in the last elections, but neither of them took party membership. The actor had excused himself from politics saying he was busy with films and had said that he would take party membership at an appropriate time.

At present only Mr Nandamuri Harikrishna from NTR clan is active in the TD and is an MP.