Caught on camera: TDP MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna slaps supporter, tries to bribe Nandyal voters
Actor-turned-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna slapped a fan during an election rally at Nandyal yesterday in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Images have emerged showing Balakrishna distributing money among voters.
In Short
- Nandamuri Balakrishna is a TDP MLA.
- Balakrishna is the son on former CM NTR Rao.
- Balakrishna slapped a supporter while campaigning for Nandyal by-poll.
It has happened yet again with actor-turned politician Nandamuri Balakrishna. Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party MLA and cine star Nandamuri Balakrishna slapped a fan at Nandyal in Kurnool district of the state. Balakrishna allegedly also distributed money among the voters during his election campaign at Nandyal.
The incident took place yesterday when the TDP star campaigner visited poll-bound Nandyal for electioneering. Balakrishna was campaigning for TDP candidate Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy. The Nandyal by-election is scheduled for August 23.
There was huge gathering of fans and TDP supporters at the venue. Fans were trying to garland Balakrishna. One of the supporters fell on the cine-star in his attempt to put a garland of flowers on him. The TDP MLA was enraged with the turn of events that he slapped the fan and pushed him away.
Balakrishna is an MLA in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly representing Hindupur constituency. Also known as Balayya, Balakrishna is the sixth son of NT Rama Rao, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and a legendary actor of Telugu cinema.
Balakrishna is also a close relative of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He is a very popular film actor and politician.
This is not the first incident where Balakrishna found himself in a controversy. He had been caught on camera, in the past, scolding fans, making 'inappropriate' remarks about his female co-stars and also assaulting his assistant on a film set.
MORE TROUBLE FOR BALAKRISHNA
Meanwhile, images have come in the public domain showing Balakrishna "distributing money to voters" in Nandyal constituency, where he held a massive road show canvassing for the ruling TDP.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Bhuma Akila Priya, his brother and TDP candidate Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy and Mounika Nagi Reddy were at present by his side when Balakrishna allegedly distributed money among voters.
The Nandyal by-poll is being viewed by many political observers of Andhra Pradesh as a referendum on the Chandrababu Naidu government before the 2019-Assembly election. The TDP and YSR Congress of Jaganmohan Reddy are in contention for this seat.
The YSR congress has demanded action against Balakrishna. The Election Commission has, on the other hand, sough a report from the Kurnool district collector on the matter. The TDP has rejected the allegation saying that the images had been photoshopped to defame the party and its leader Balakrishna.