The controversy surrounding the use of photos of NTR and NTR Jr. by YSR Congress leaders appears to have sparked off differences in the thespian’s family with Harikrishna finding fault with a comment made by his brother Balakrishna.
In a brief interaction with media-persons after having a ‘darshan’ of Sri Hemachala Narasimhaswamy temple in Warangal district on Monday, Mr. Harikrishna said it was wrong to say that use of NTR’s photo by other parties amounted to “political prostitution”.
“Anybody can use NTR’s photo. Decades ago, his photo in a mythological role as Sri Krishna adorned the walls of every home. If the use of photo is described as bankruptcy now what do you have to say about its removal some years ago,” he said.
Apparently he was indirectly referring to the comment made by Balakrishna and the way NTR’s photo was removed from the government offices during former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure.
Mr. Harikrishna made these significant observations in response to questions from media-persons even while claiming that he would avoid speaking on controversies and about politics on the temple premises.
To another question, he said that his son NTR Jr. should not be held responsible for somebody else’s action. (His photos were put up by YSRC leaders to welcome Sharmila during her ‘padayatra’).
He said that his son had nothing to do with such displays and had made it clear several times that he would continue in Telugu Desam.
NTR Jr. vows loyalty to TDP
Referring to the row on Monday evening, NTR Jr. asserted that as the grandson of NTR, his loyalties and support would always be with the Telugu Desam, a party founded by the latter.
Participating in a function here to celebrate the success of his latest movie ‘Baadshah’, he appealed to the people to not spoil the mood by dragging him into controversies.
Ever since his photos appeared a few days ago, Telugu Desam leaders had been warning YSRC leaders to stop the display. On their part, YSRC explained that they were helpless as party’s local leaders and admirers of NTR Jr. had done it.
