NTR's son Balakrishna drops plans to attend Modi's swearing-in

Modi, who is set to take oath as Gujarat chief minister for the third time Wednesday, had personally invited Balakrishna for the swearing-in ceremony.

According to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) sources, Modi telephoned Balakrishna to invite him. Balakrishna had reportedly accepted Modi's invitation and was ready to leave for Ahmedabad Tuesday afternoon.

However, Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently on a 'padyatra' in Karimnagar district, contacted Balakrishna and advised him to drop his plans.

Balakrishna is Naidu's brother-in-law and his daughter is also married to Naidu's son Lokesh. The actor, who had campaigned for TDP in 2009 elections, has already announced his plans to contest the next elections.

 

The TDP chief intervened after learning that Balakrishna has accepted Modi's invitation. The party leaders conveyed to Naidu that the actor's participation in the swearing-in ceremony would send wrong signals to people, especially minorities.

After the defeat in 2004 elections, TDP severed its ties with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and apologised to minorities for having an alliance with the "communal" party.