The political divide

The buzz and drama surrounding the forthcoming elections in the Telugu speaking states just got bigger!  In an interesting twist, contrasting political ideologies seem to be prompting members of the same family clan to join rival camps. Rumors are rife that rivalries between candidates from the same family seem to be intensifying.

While this phenomenon is a familiar sight in politics, the fact that such developments have surfaced simultaneously across several families has caught everyone’s attention.

A case in point is Daggubati Purandeswari. While the former Union Minister continues to work with the BJP, her husband Venkateswara Rao and son Hitesh recently joined the YSRCP.

Similarly, while Mahesh Babu’s brother-in-law Jay Galla is an MP from the Telugu Desam Party, the superstar’s uncle, Adi Seshagiri Rao, recently joined rival camp YSRCP. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Chinnarajappa’s brother Laxmana Murthy (Bapuji) has also joined rival camp Jana Sena. Narne Srinivasa Rao’s (a close relative to AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Jr NTR’s father-in-law) recent rendezvous with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy literally kicked off a storm amongst the political circles. While Narne maintains that his meeting was ‘just a formality’, rumours are rife that he is likely to join YSRCP.

Political analyst V. Prakash describes this as ‘opportunity politics’. He further adds that the ‘loyalty factor’ is missing and that the ultimate purpose is to protect their business interests and be in power.

“Today’s politics is all about business. Although members of the same family clan join rival camps and show a different colour, they have an internal understanding. Politicians find whichever party is about to come to power and join it. Ultimately, the objective is to protect their business interests irrespective of whichever party comes to power,” states Prakash.

What’s interesting to see however, is the camaraderie members share within the family, irrespective of their political differences. So how tough is it to strike a balance between the two worlds?

TRS leader Kancharla Chandra Shekar Reddy (actor Allu Arjun’s father-in-law) states that maintaining a fine balance is the key to the camaraderie.

Citing the example of his equation with Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan, Chandra Shekar adds that they get along well because they know when and where to draw a line. “We meet for dinners and other family functions, but we seldom discuss politics at such get togethers. Perhaps members from the same family joining rival parties in a constructive way is far better than people unethically switching loyalties,” he opines.

And while ‘switching loyalties’ in politics is not new, such a practice always puts actors like Mahesh Babu and Jr NTR (whose families are politically inclined) in a fix, as it sets off a constant debate on whether these stars would campaign for their dear ones or not.

Former MLC and Professor Nageshwar Rao believes given the risk to their careers, stars rarely campaign openly. Citing the recent example of Jr NTR not campaigning for his sister Suhasini in the Telangana State elections, Nageshwar Rao adds that stars seldom endorse philosophies if they are not active in politics themselves.

“Let common sense prevail! These stars have worked very hard to get to where they are today, so why will they risk their careers? Jr NTR stayed away from endorsing Suhasini, and Mahesh Babu also never campaigned for his dear brother-in-law Jay Galla. They don’t want to be labelled by anyone for endorsing any party,” explains Nageshwar Rao.