‘Abbai better than Babai’

March 14: Junior NTR continued to capture hearts through brief but emotional speeches on his third and last day of campaign for the Telugu Desam.

“Abbai is better than Babai, (Boy is better than Uncle)” was the general refrain of the audience as well as the TD leaders accompanying him, hinting at the lengthy speeches which are delivered by the other star campaigner, Balakrishna.

It was mostly women and youth who thronged to hear Junior NTR and his campaign has rejuvenated the TD cadre in the district.

“His speeches are brief, precise and touch the heart,” said a TD politburo member who accompanied the star.

Clad in a khaki dress and wearing a party shawl, Junior NTR indirectly lashed out at the Praja Rajyam for harping on social justice. He pointed out that his grandfather, the late NTR, had given ministerships to nine backward class leaders in his Cabinet. This pattern was also followed by Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, he said. The actor cited instances of Mr G.M.C. Balayogi becoming Lok Sabha Speaker and Mr K. Yerrannaidu getting a Central Cabinet post as instances of the TD’s commitment to social justice. “All the things promised by the new parties have already been done by the NTR regime,” he said.

He also pointed out that the TD had not fielded any candidate against the former prime minister, Mr P.V. Narasimha Rao, for reasons of Telugu pride but the Congress had neglected his family after his death.