Senior actor-politician and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna has been an MLA for the last three terms, yet he seems to have not mastered the art of diplomacy on issues concerning the people.
During the YSR Congress party regime, then Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy reorganized the districts, increasing the number from 13 to 26 after a thorough exercise. There were controversies over the selection of district headquarters for the new districts.
For example, the Jagan government created Satya Sai District but designated the small town of Puttaparthi as its headquarters, despite large-scale demands for making Hindupur the district headquarters.
Balakrishna, who represents the Hindupur assembly constituency, requested the then Chief Minister to make Hindupur the district headquarters. However, Jagan proceeded with his plan and made Puttaparthi the headquarters. Although Balakrishna protested, he was powerless as the TDP lacked the strength to oppose effectively.
Now that the TDP is back in power, Balakrishna has revived the demand to make Hindupur the headquarters of Satya Sai District. He told reporters that the demand still exists, not only in Hindupur but also in several other districts.
“There is a proposal to change the headquarters of some districts while keeping the number of districts the same. We shall consider the demands from the people in such districts,” he said.
This statement has created a fresh headache for TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu, as the district administrative system is currently running smoothly.
With Balakrishna's statement going viral, YSRCP social media activists are questioning whether Balakrishna is echoing Naidu’s decision or making his own demand.
Needless to say, this is a big embarrassment for Naidu, as the YSRCP is unlikely to remain silent on the issue.