Veteran leader from the Vijayanagaram’s princely dynasty, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, is a known for his gentleman politics.
He was never seen aggressive, nor was heard hurling abuses at the rivals.
He had always been well-cultured and well-mannered in politics for the past four decades.
He was never involved in any controversies like many of his contemporaries, which has become order of the day in modern politics.
He never criticised his rivals beyond certain limits and never bet them below the belt.
But, these days, he is heard using some filthy language and making some baseless allegations agains the rivals.
Ashok Gajapathi Raju was hit by the Jagan Mohan Reddy government when he was removed from the Mansas Trust a year-and-a-half ago.
He fought legal battle against the state government’s decision and got himself restored in the post that was taken away from him.
While reacting to the entire episode, like several of the politicians, Ashok Gajapathi Raju spoke something that was unexpected from him.
He alleged that the government was conspiring against the Hindus (by intervening in the Mansas Trust).
It has been the BJP which uses the Hindu sentiment in politics for several years.
But, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, perhaps for the first time, used this BJP-RSS language of religious politics.
Naidu went one step ahead and uttered the BJP-RSS slogan of Jai Sriram, during an issue at Ramateerdham temple desecration.
One wonders if the gentleman Ashok Gajapathi Raju is also joining others in using the religious sentiments against the government to save his position!