Jr NTR’s silence is tactical: TD sources

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Not surprisingly, actor Jr NTR’s sudden retreat from a confrontation with Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu is being looked by party leaders as a calculated strategy. TD sources say Jr NTR is awaiting bypolls results, and if the TD suffers humiliation in the polls, he and his supporters will gun for Mr Naidu's blood, if not, wait till the 2014 elections.

“The demand for change in party leadership will grow if Mr Naidu fails to win sizeable seats in the bypolls. A section is already upset with him after TD debacle in 2004 and 2009 polls,” said a TD leader. Jr NTR’s avoiding mention of Mr Naidu in his recent statement indicates all is not well between them. “Jr NTR made a calculated political statement. He lauded TD founder and grandfather N.T. Rama Rao, but showed contempt for Mr Naidu, making no mention about him though he is the party chief,” another senior party leader said.

Interestingly, a private TV channel owned by Jr NTR’s in-laws (Jr NTR is married to Mr Naidu’s niece) has raised eyebrows in political circles. The channel of late is critical of Mr Naidu, highlighting differences among party men in various Assembly constituencies going to polls, while displaying a soft corner to YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, especially after freezing of his media accounts. Public embrace of the YSR Congress chief by TD Vijayawada Urban leader Vallabhneni Vamsi, kicked up a furore in party, since he is close to Mr Harikrishna and Jr NTR. The suspicion grew further when both remained silent for long.