NTR tribute: Shah Khammam tryst with political symbolism

Hyderabad: Union home minister Amit Shah’s Khammam rally will also showcase political symbolism with the BJP master strategist planning to pay tributes at the NTR statue. Shah’s realpolitik can be attributed to a significant support for TDP in the border district, which also has a sizeable presence of Telugus from AP, who consider NTR an icon. Sources say this gesture is significant in the backdrop of TDP-BJP talks for a poll alliance. Shah also did not miss out on homage to NTR during his recent visit to Andhra Pradesh. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi too recalled NTR’s contributions during his recent Mann ki Baat broadcast.During NTR’s 100th birth anniversary, many BJP leaders, including Bandi Sanjay and Vijayashanti paid tributes to NTR. Earlier, Sanjay had also visited NTR ghat. “This is certainly going to be a symbolic gesture at a time BJP is trying to cement its vote-base in this Left bastion. Khammam is the only district in Telangana, where BRS doesn’t have absolute electoral grip, though it won the MP seat for the first time in 2019 elections.Congress, TDP, and Left parties have their own pockets of influence in Khammam with Congress winning most assembly seats from this district. YSTRP chief YS Sharmila is also planning to contest from here.As part of BJP’s outreach to social influencers, particularly in cinema and sports, Shah is likely to meet RRR and Bahubali director SS Rajamouli, before proceeding to Khammam on Thursday. Sources said, Shah’s office also contacted Telugu actor Jagapati Babu, but the meeting did not crystalize. Earlier, the home minister had interacted with RRR lead actors Junior NTR and Ram Charan. Shah will be reaching Hyderabad late Wednesday.
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