Not long ago, Telugu Desam Party leaders made a hue and cry over renaming of NTR University of Health Sciences after former chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.
Even in the recent past, the TDP leaders tried to make a big issue over installation of YSR statue on the premises of Yogi Vemana University at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district, saying how saint Vemana statue could be replaced by that of YSR.
Yet, the TDP leaders are aware that YSR’s name still sells in the elections and they cannot make any negative comments against him, lest they would get the backlash in the elections.
That is why, during the popular talk show – Unstoppable with NBK – hosted by senior actor and TDP legislator Nandamuri Balakrishna on the OTT platform “Aha,” YSR’s arch rival in politics and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu was forced to describe YSR as his best friend.
In the latest episode of the talk show, being telecast on Friday night, even Balakrishna had to say good words about YSR and express regrets over the latter’s untimely death in a helicopter crash.
This episode has featured former chief minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy, former Speaker and presently Telangana Rashtra Samithi Rajya Sabha member K R Suresh Reddy and popular actress Radhika.
Going by the promo, the guests had recalled the glorious days of YSR and his unfortunate death in a helicopter crash. Kiran Kumar Reddy was talking about a senior minister who was misleading YSR during the latter’s regime.
Kiran Kumar Reddy was heard saying he, too, was supposed to accompany YSR in the ill-fated helicopter on the fateful day on September 2, 2009, but had to drop out at the eleventh hour.
“Just because I survived, I could become the chief minister later,” he said.
Balakrishna paid a tribute to YSR saying the state had lost a great leader like Rajasekhar Reddy. Well, he had no option because YSR was indeed a great leader and Balayya had to admit this lest he would get the backlash from public!
