Balayya not keen for Lok Sabha, will contest for assembly

Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna on Wednesday stated that he would contest for the Assembly elections in 2014.

Talking to media persons after paying floral tributes to founder president of Telugu Desam N T Rama Rao at Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital on his 16th death anniversary, Balakrishna said that he was not interested in contesting the parliamentary elections. Stating that he would contest from any assembly constituency of any region, he said that he would make all efforts to bring the party to power in the 2014 elections. 

Balakrishna pointed out that the family members of NTR are not the legal heirs of party and the real heirs are those who work continuously to strengthen the party. He said that NTR occupied prominent place in the hearts of Telugu people due to people-friendly schemes that he launched during his regime.

Responding to Praja Rajyam president and actor K Chiranjeevi describing him as having `childish mentality’, Balakrishna stated there was no need to comment on Chiru, who is busy lobbying for a ministerial berth with the Congress high command in New Delhi.

On Junior NTR keeping distance from the TDP, Balakrishna said he could come and participate in the party activities anytime. When reporters asked about inviting Union Minister of State for Human Resources D Puranjeswari back to the TDP fold, Balakrishna said the family would be grateful if she joins the TDP voluntaril