Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090860880600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Nandamuri clan rallies behind Naidu

Special Correspondent

Balakrishna may address the first of a series of public meetings planned to be organised soon

Naidu hosts breakfast for the family
TDP chief asked to fine-tune campaign strategy

- PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

Star power: TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu with Kalyan Ram, Harikrishna, Balakrishna and NTR at his residence in Hyderabad on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: Sending a strong message that the Nandamuri clan would take active part in Telugu Desam Party activities in the coming days, the party president, N. Chandrababu Naidu held a meeting with them at his Jubilee Hills residence.

The two-hour long extended breakfast meeting, the second one in the last few months, was attended by three reigning film stars, Balakrishna, NTR and Kalyan Ram and Harikrishna who is also a polit bureau member of the party. Though neither Mr. Naidu nor the stars were prepared to talk to the media, party sources said the meeting discussed ways of reaching out to the large section people through rallies in different parts of the State. The debating point was the timing of their first public appearance and whether they should make it jointly or separately across the State. It was also decided that Balakrishna should address the first of these rallies to be organised shortly.

Apparently considerable time was spent on working out a strategy to try and checkmate the influence of the film star and Praja Rajyam leader, Chiranjeevi, who has emerged as another political rival after Congress. Another point that came up for discussion was utilising their services for the election campaign.

Sources said all the three film stars pledged their unstinted support to Mr. Naidu and told him that they were available for the party activities and the campaign. They wanted him to fine-tune the strategy accordingly.