Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Complaint against actor-politician Balakrishn­a

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu srinivasa.apparasu@htlive.com

A day after actor and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA Nandamuri Balakrishn­a allegedly made offensive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a complaint against him with Hyderabad police.

In his complaint filed at Osmania University police station on Saturday, BJP’s Hyderabad unit president N Ramachande­r Rao said Balakrishn­a had made cheap and offensive comments against the PM at Vijayawada.

Balakrishn­a made the remarks on Friday while addressing a gathering at the hunger strike taken up by his brother-in-law and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrabab­u Naidu, according to Rao, a member of the state legislativ­e council. He requested the police to initiate action against Balakrishn­a, son of legendary actor and former chief minister NT Rama Rao, for “hurting the sentiments” of people and “inciting people” against the government.

Inspector G Jagan of Osmania University police station said appropriat­e action would be taken.

The BJP also urged governor ESL Narasimhan to dismiss Balakrishn­a’s assembly membership. A BJP delegation led by the party’s floor leader in the assembly, P Vishnu Kumar Raju, submitted a memorandum, demanding Balakrishn­a’s ouster.

Balakrishn­a, who represents Hindupur assembly constituen­cy in Anantapur, had accused Modi of playing politics to attack the TDP, which walked out the BJPled National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre last month over denial of special status to Andhra Pradesh.

Following his remarks, BJP activists took out protest rallies in different parts of the state. In Nellore, TDP activists and BJP activists clashed while taking out rallies against each other.

Asked about the complaint, TDP spokespers­on Jupudi Prabhakar Rao said, “BJP leaders from our own state are not bothered when Modi does injustice to the state, but lodge a police complaint. They do not show any concern when the CM takes up fast on his birthday, seeking justice for the state. But they get offended when an MLA says a few words in anger. It is unfortunat­e,” he added. Balakrishn­a could not be reached for comment.

HYDERABAD:

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