NTR’s son calls Modi a 'gaddar'

Actor-turned-politician N Balakrishna, son of veteran actor and former chief minister N T Rama Rao, on Friday, lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for betraying the people of Andhra Pradesh by not granting Special Category Status.

Switching to Hindi while addressing the gathering at the 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' in Vijayawada, where his brother-in-law and Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu embarked on a one-day hunger strike, he called Modi "gaddar" and "namak haram" for going back on the promise made to five crore Telugu people.

Explaining the reasons for an alliance with the BJP, the Hindupur legislator said that the TDP hoped that the prime minister will help the state to develop.

"We have used 'sama', 'dana' and 'bheda' options so far and the only option left with us is the 'Danda'," NTR's younger son said.

He reminded the BJP that Andhra Pradesh is not like Gujarat. "Your tricks won't work here. Telugus are different. They showed their power when Indira Gandhi tried to pull down the NTR government in 1984," he said.

Calling the prime minister a "makhi choos", Balakrishna said the "tea-seller is trying to take a gulp of the tea in which the state of Andhra Pradesh accidentally fell and is trying to survive like a fly".

"Instead of helping the fly to come out of the tea cup, he (Modi) chose to swallow it," he said.

Taking on BJP president Amit Shah, he said that Shah is misleading the prime minister.

"The prime minister must listen to the hearts of people, not one person. Not just Andhra Pradesh, all the Indians are turning against you. The time has come when people will chase you and beat you," he said.

He further compared Modi to Sikhandi, a third gender character in the Mahabharata, for trying to win elections by taking help from TDP's rivals.

However, the state BJP unit took serious note of Balakrishna's speech. BJP MLC Somu Veerraju questioned the contribution of the actor for the country.

"It is sad that very derogatory words have been used addressing the prime minister of the country," he said.

The Vijayawada unit of the national party has said it will organise protests and burn effigies of Balakrishna on Saturday.