With the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) returning to power for a third term and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) emerging as a key pillar of the ruling alliance, there are signs of a thaw in relations between TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu and Andhra Pradesh BJP leader Dr Daggubati Purandeswari, who is also Naidu’s sister-in-law.
Purandeswari, 65, has always kept his distance from Naidu, who he believes was responsible for the downfall of his father, TDP founder NT Rama Rao, in his 1995 coup. But on June 5, a day after the NDA’s landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu thanked Purandeswari for his support. At an NDA meeting in New Delhi, Naidu also acknowledged Purandeswari’s role in the state elections and expressed his gratitude once again.
“The political loyalties may differ but there are strong family ties. Purandeswari is Chandrababu’s sister-in-law while her brother N Balakrishna is the TDP state legislator from Hindupur and is very close to Naidu. They are all getting back together,” the TDP leader said.
“The BJP and Purandeswari helped the alliance win the elections. Naidu has rightly acknowledged that,” Andhra BJP co-president Sunil Deodhar said.
Purandeswari’s husband, five-time TDP state legislator Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao, sided with Naidu in the 1995 coup but Purandeswari distanced herself from the incident. The incident has divided NTR’s family. Though most of NTR’s sons and daughters sided with Naidu, they too have distanced themselves.
Purandeswari joined the Indian National Congress in 2000 and did not contest state assembly elections, making him a minor presence in state politics. When he was elected as MP from Bapatla and Visakhapatnam in 2004 and 2009 respectively, he contested against TDP candidates. However, once elected, he avoided socialising as he spent most of his time in New Delhi as a member of the Union Cabinet. Purandeswari left the Indian National Congress in March 2014 in protest against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and joined the BJP. In the same year, he contested from Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat but lost. This time, he won from Rajahmundry Lok Sabha seat.
Naidu and Purandeswari had kept a distance for years. Even for family functions, they would arrive and depart at different times, whenever possible. Purandeswari was appointed Andhra BJP chief last year. But despite the BJP being its partner, the two never campaigned together and were only seen together when BJP leaders addressed rallies. The BJP leader had distanced himself from the TDP, which was seeking a return to the NDA, for most of last year, but spoke out for the first time after Naidu was arrested in September last year in connection with the AP Skill Development Corporation scam, condemning his arrest.
“Naidu was trying to return to the BJP and Pawan Kalyan (Janasena Party leader and actor) was trying to convince the BJP leadership but Purandeswari did not express any opinion publicly,” the TDP leader said.
Sources said that though the BJP won eight assembly and three Lok Sabha constituencies in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu may not want Purandeswari to enter the state politics. With Naan Trust’s daughter heading the BJP in Andhra Pradesh, Naidu taking the reins as Chief Minister and Pawan Kalyan emerging as a politician, the dynamics in the state have shifted and this powerful combination is expected to have an impact both in the state and in Hyderabad. Pawan Kalyan’s rise and election to the state assembly will see the entry of a family representing Tollywood, the Telugu film industry, into Andhra politics. Pawan’s elder brother is ‘megastar’ K. Chiranjeevi and his other elder brother Nagababu is eyeing roles in the state. Pawan Kalyan has the backing of nearly 10 relatives involved in the film industry. Popular TV drama Pushpa actor Allu Arjun is also related to Pawan Kalyan’s family.
© Indian Express Ltd.
First uploaded: October 6, 2024, 10:55 AM
