CHANDRABABU NAIDU'S ROAD SHOW IS NOT EXACTLY A GREAT SHOW

TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu has asked youth and women to fight against the government for closure of belt shops. "There are belt shops everywhere but there is no drinking water rural areas," he said.

Addressing meetings at Kothavalasa and along the route to S Kota, Naidu, who reached Jangalapalem, the border village, two-and-half-hours behind schedule from Visakhapatnam in an open top jeep, said, "My only wish is too see the poor and the farmers happy. The TDP will stand by them."

Expressing satisfaction with the good response from public to his roadshow, Naidu said NTR had founded the party with an aim to uplift the poor, and the partymen would rededicate themselves to cherish the founder’s goal.

He said that the State government had neglected the poor and encouraged contractors during its over three-year-rule. It was ready to allot hundreds of acres of land to rich entrepreneurs, but it was against giving 60 sq yards for construction of houses to the poor, the TDP president said.

The government acquired 350 acres of land in near Kothavalasa for a glass factory and paid Rs 1 lakh per acre as compensation to farmers. After the entrepreneur went back, the government sold the same land at Rs 3 lakh per acre to a cement factory, he said, and criticised the government’s anti-people policies.

He assured farmers of support in their fight against Jindal’s Alumina.

Earlier, at Jangalapalem and at Kothavalasa, Naidu unveiled the statues of late NTR. Party senior leaders P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, M V V S Murty, Y Ramana Murty and others accompanied him.

UPA GOVERNMENT SHOULD SCRAP NUCLEAR DEAL

Naidu said the UPA Government should scrap the nuclear deal with the United States in deference to popular opinion.

In a brief chat with reporters at the Vizag airport, he said the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) would bring pressure on the coalition not to budge under pressure from the Bush administration.

Stating that the deal would be counter-productive and not in the larger interest of the nation, he said the UPA would be held responsible if elections were thrust on the public.

Naidu said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were acting like agents of the US, and feared that the US would start implementing its hidden agenda once the deal came into force.

He said only the Congress was keen on implementing the deal and claimed that all other major parties were totally opposed to the agreement known as 123.

CHANDRABABU NAIDU TELLS BRITISH TELUGU NRIs THAT A P WAS THE BEST DESTINATION TO MAKE INVESTMENTS

Andhra Pradesh is the most suitable State after Gujarat for making investments, according to former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu.

Addressing the Telugu community at East Home Bullion Cinema Hall, London, on Saturday, he said it was during his party’s rule that Hyderabad was put on the world map with emphasis on education and IT.

As a consequence, top institutions like Indian School of Business and IIIT were established in the city, and those like IIT and BITS Pilani were coming now, Naidu stated.

Many Indians, including a large number of Telugus, were present to hear the TDP leader who is visiting the British capital for the first time.

Naidu expressed confidence that his past 'good work' and 'struggle against corruption' in the State would pay dividends for the TDP in the ensuing elections. Party leaders E Peddi Reddy, M V Mysoora Reddy, Venkata Rao and C M Ramesh, and NRI TDP leaders were among those who attended, according to a press release.

CONGRESSMAN FILES DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST SIVAJI FOR TARNISHING THE IMAGE OF SONIA GANDHI AND MANMOHAN SINGH

A defamation suit seeking Rs 50 crore damages and a ban on the screening of Tamil Superstar Rajnikanth's latest blockbuster Sivaji: The Boss was filed in Madras High Court on Monday.

In his petition, M Sathiyamoorthy of the Congress contended the film was defamatory in nature, and aimed at tarnishing the image of AICC President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The film dealt with the exploitation of education system by private institutions which collected capitation fees.

Fifteen minutes into the film, hero Rajnikanth, who plays the role of a US-returned software engineer, visits the place of Adikesavan, the villain and head of a private university, who is shown standing between the laminated photographs of Ms Gandhi and Dr Singh.

By portraying the senior Congress leaders with the villain, the image of the senior party leaders was tarnished, Sathiyamoorthy contended and sought Rs 50 crore in damages and a ban on screening the film.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Censor Board (Chennai), actor Rajnikanth, Film Producer AVM Saravanan, Director Shankar, and TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu were cited as respondents.

The petition was likely to be taken up for hearing on Monday.

LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT VIDEO JUST FOR YOU

You have read the reports and seen the pictures of Andhra's most talked about event -- the Lokesh-Brahmani engagement. Now see it on video.


What are you waiting for? Switch it on...

IS CHIRUTHA AUDIO UP FOR GRABS FOR A COOL RS 1 CRORE? YOU BET IT IS!!

Now that the engagement of Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani to Nara Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh has been solemnised, all eyes are back on the film industry. And with every passing day, Chiranjeevi and his son Ram Charan Teja seem to become jittery. Will it? Won't it? That is will his first film Chirutha create a storm in the industry? Not just Chiranjeevi and his son, all and everyone is closely waiting with bated breath for the completion of the film. The film is currently underway in Bangkok, if I am not mistaken, and has raked in quite an expectation. If I may say so, the expectation for Chirutha in Andhra Pradesh can be comparable to Sivaji: The Boss in Tamil Nadu. It is just the degree of difference. Even Shankardada Zindabad hasn't generated so much hype. Meanwhile, we hear the audio is up for grabs for a cool Rs 1 crore. Might be true. Because the kind of attention it has been receiving is not only unique but also mindboggling. Must say that the celebrity culture has taken India by storm after the liberalisation of the Indian economy. What say you?

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT: THE MARRIAGE IS ON AUGUST 26

It was the engagement that created a hype in Andhra like the abhiash wedding all over the country and the world. All eyes were glued to the TV to have a glimpse of Lokesh and Brahmani. TV channels were agog with news of the event, and it is the one thing that was talked about, and is still being talked about all over Andhra. Even the NRIs couldn't contain their excitement and were logging on to whatever source that could provide them the news of the engagement.

The engagement took place at a simple ceremony at Balakrishna's house and the families of all the big stars in Telugu film industry were present for the occasion.

Take a glimpse of the snapshots of the family. While Balakrishna cannot contain his excitement, Chandrababu is all smiles too.

HE WENT, HE SAW AND CAME BACK IN EXACTLY 15 MINUTES: DID JUNIOR NTR GET THE ROYAL SNUB AT LOKESH-BRAHMANI'S ENGAGEMENT?

The more he tries to get closer to the NTR family, the farther they are keeping away from him. Junior NTR, who has been desperately hankering for the love and affection of the members of the NTR family, has not been lucky till now. There have been reports of how Balakrishna had insulted him when he tried to address him as 'babai' and seek his blessings a couple of years back. Not just Balakrishna, the whole of NTR family could not digest the fame and popularity of junior NTR. Why they didn't even like the idea of the junior using NTR's name. They consider him to be a pariah, and wouldn't even touch him with a barge pole. And on Sunday, when Balakrishna was soaking in the attention of the film industry's biggies on the occasion of the engagement ceremony of Lokesh and Brahmani held at his house in Jubilee Hills, NTR too went to greet the young couple. We don't know whether he was called by the Balakrishna family, or whether he was invited by his father Harikrishna, but the enthusiastic young man went with stars in his eyes, literally, to greet the young couple. Exactly in 15 minutes, however, he walked out with a red face. The answer was obvious. He got a cold reception. Or worse still, there must have been snide remarks, the kind we see in films, about how he could have come for the engagement ceremony, and who had called him. Don't worry NTR, your success speaks for yourself, you don't need to curry favour with anyone. The man whose love and affection you deserve, the late N T Rama Rao, is up in the sky and watching their every move. And, don't forget to remember that his benign grace is always showering on you. So, as Dale Carnegie says, stop worrying and start living a life you deserve to.

PEOPLE ANGRY WITH POLITICAL PARTIES FOR NOT GIVING KALAM A SECOND TERM, SAYS CHANDRABABU NAIDU

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President N Chandrababu Naidu claimed on Saturday that the people were angry with political parties, who were not extending support to President A P J Abdul Kalam for a second term for the Presidential post.

Talking to newspersons in Hyderabad, he said the people of the country favoured a second term for Dr Kalam, who was a man of the masses, and UNPA leaders had approached almost all the parties for their support for the President.

However, Naidu said the UNPA would not support the candidature of the Presidential nominees of the UPA and the NDA. He said the TDP would serve the public through the NTR Trust. NTR memorial schools and hospitals would be established in every district, and NRIs would be involved in the programme, he added.

Later, the TDP Chief inaugurated a mobile health van for providing medical assistance to the poor people as part of the NTR Trust Social Service.

LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT IS OVER TODAY, NOW WAIT FOR THE MARRIAGE ON AUGUST 26

The most talked-about engagement in Andhra Pradesh uniting the two families -- the Nara family and the Nandamuri family -- got underway in the morning. , according to sources, it was a very simple and traditional affairs. It was Balakrishna who called the shots right from the word go. First, it was the filmi crowd that formed the invite list. And there were hardly any politicians.

Two, junior NTR came, saw, and left in a huff. It is rumoured that he was given the royal snub with no one giving him a damn. While others, however, claim that he was in a hurry to go for the shooting of Yamadonga, which is currently happening in Hyderabad. But, if it is such an important ceremony, for whose recognition junior NTR is desperately groping , wouldn't he cancel his shoot? This is all bull, and we know that they didn't take NTR's walking in with a warm smile.

It was a heavily-guarded affair blanketed by a posse of prive security guards. No journalists, not even those closest to either Balakrishna or Chandrababu Naidu were invited for the engagement ceremony. Inquisitive onlookers however, thronged to see from a distance if they could get a peek into the ceremony. But with so much security, I wonder even if the guests were able to catch on what was happening inside.

Balakrishna's house in Jubilee Hills was bustling with activity with an entourage of motrocades wheezing in and out of the premises. The guest list included: the Ramanaidu family, Nagarjuna family, Krishnam Raju family, all the Nandamuri brothers and cousins, the ANR family, the poet-laureate of Andhra C Narayana Reddy, among others. Chiranjeevi was conspicuous by his absence, and instead Allu Arvind made his presence felt.

Rammurthy Naidu, brother of Chandrababu Naidu, who said he wouldn't have anything to do with his brother's son's wedding, has come because he was called by Balakrishna. He came with the Nara family from his native place.

As was expected, and runoured, Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao and Purandareshwari played the achor role in the ceremony.

The ceremony got off to a start with the Chandrababu Naidu and his relatives went to Balakrishna's house in a Volvo. Chandrababu set aside his gruff looks for a while, and was laughing away most of the time.

The wedding will take place on August 26, 8.21 am.

ARRANGEMENTS ARE QUIETLY UNDERWAY FOR THE ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY OF LOKESH AND BRAHMANI

While Balakrishna is busy shooting for his film Okka Mogadu, and Chandrababu Naidu trying to forge a rainbow coalition into a Third Front, preparations are quietly underway for the engagement ceremony of Lokesh Naidu and Brahmani to be held on August 26. Chandrababu Naidu, we hear, is leaving for the US of A to convince his son about the significance of this marriage for his political future, and ensure there are no hiccups in the last minute. Maybe he wants to make it doubly sure after Chiranjeevi's daughter's engagement fiasco with Uday Kiran. Meanwhile, NTR's daughters meet regularly or keep in touch over the phone and can't stop discussing about the things that Brahmani should be decked with -- from gold ornaments to sarees to mehndi to what not. They want to ensure that it is one gala engagement ceremony.

HAS CHANDRABABU NAIDU PLANNED HIS US TRIP TO CASH IN ON BALAKRISHNA'S POPULARITY?

Let's make one thing clear right at the outset. Chandrababu Naidu has a way of planting stories in the media. For two reasons. One, he has the media in his pocket. And two, he does it so subtly that even the seasoned journalists can't figure out his moves. The latest rumour which is doing the rounds is that Balakrishna might accompany Chandrababu Naidu on his US visit at the end of the month. While Balakrishna is going to attend the TANA conference, what is Naidu going to do there, we wonder. Piggyback on Balakrishna's popularity? In normal circumstances, they would have been miles away from each other's reach. And Naidu wouldn't even be crossing the path of any member of the NTR family. But, now Naidu is ploughing a lonely furrow in terms of popularity, and he has no choice but to cash in Balakrishna's soaring popularity in the US of A. And get some mileage for the sagging image of the party in the eyes of the people. Therefore, it is reported, that he has been using all his clout to muster the goodwill and popularity of the Non-Resident Telugus in the US to boost his image. And that is what Naidu desperately needs back home to kick off his electoral campaign. And Balakrishna becomes the best bait for him, especially now after their bonding becoming stronger with Chandrababu's son Lokesh's engagement to take place with Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani in the last week of August. Towards this end, we are told, that Naidu even "arranged" an invite through his contacts in TANA. Quite possible. For you can never underestimate the guile of Chandrababu Naidu. He knows where to sow his wild oats. And if the opportunities are not ripe in India, which they are definitely not, as everything he touches is bouncing back on him, he would start from abroad. But, will he be successful in taming Balakrishna? That is the million-dollar question right now.

BALAKRISHNA'S FANS SET THE AGENDA FOR HIS POLITICAL ENTRY: Balakrishna is the future chief minister of Andhra Pradesh

He came, he saw and he was hailed as the 'Future Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh'. Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is the most-talked about hero in Andhra Pradesh today, due to his inclination for joining politics, celebrated his 48th birthday in Rajahmundry with great 'fan'fare -- literally.

Fans virtually went overboard in cheering on their leader, and happy at their screen god's decision to enter politics, they've set the agenda for him -- nothing less than a chief minister. And the sloganeering fans didn't stop shouting and went on and on with shouts of Kaboye mukhyamantri Balakrishna ringing in the ears of all the Rajahmundry residents.

Visibly enthused by the fans' support, Balakrishna neither told them to stop their sloganeering, nor did he stop basking in the glory of their fans. He merely said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, the late N T Rama Rao, and work for the upliftment of the society.

Later, addressing his fans, and the sea of people present at the function, he didn't stop praising his father to the skies. "I am what I am today because of my father. I learnt everything from him, including acting, which is why I was able to become your adorable hero."

He didn't mention a word about his brother-in-law Nara Chandrababu, who has taken all the trouble to make the function a thundering success. If not for that at least for forging a relationship with Chandrababu as their children Lokesh and Brahmani are entering into a wedlock in August. And Chandrababu, who has been waiting with bated breath at the proceedings of the birthday celebrations, had to hear what he didn't and wouldn't want to hear: a competition for the chief ministership.

But Balakrishna had words of praise for Rajahmundry. "I am fortunate to celebrate my birthday in the historic Raja Mahendravaram (Rajahmundry)." Balakrishna celebrated his birthday in the same place in 1993, while he was shooting for Bangaru Bullodu, which went on to become a smashing hit.

And now, after 14 years, he has been shooting for Okka Magadu for the last one month, in and around Rajahmundry. Will this film too go on to become a rage like Bangaru Bullodu?

Prior to the function, Balakrishna participated in a pulse polio programme, distributed clothes at an old age home and attended a medical camp organised by the NTR Trust.

The function was organised by the NTR Trust, Balakrishna fans and the unit of Okka Mogadu, of course, with the active support of the Telugu Desam cadres from the Godavari districts.

(Photos: courtesy Idlebrain.com)

COUNTDOWN TO BALAKRISHNA'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS BEGINS: Chandrababu Naidu watches with baited breath for NBK's announcement today

Nothing has generated so much interest in recent times in Andhra Pradesh than Nandamuri Balakrishna's birthday celebrations. All the political parties, including the Congress, are eagerly awaiting for the birthday celebrations to get underway in Rajahmundry. And not without reason. It involves the survival of Nara Chandrababu Naidu's political future and grand political entry of Balakrishna. Two crucial events tied with a common bond: the marriage of Chandrababu's son, Lokesh, to Balakrishna's daughter, Brahmani. Political fortunes tied down to personal bonding. A sensitive combination that has larger ramifications both for the NTR family and the Chandrababu Naidu family, not to talk about Lokesh's family.
While Chandrababu Naidu is totally guarded in his approach, and has been playing second fiddle for the moment, Balakrishna has been keeping all his cards close to his chest. It has become an acid test for Chandrababu, who is hell-bent on piggybacking on Balakrishna's charisma to romp home at the hustings.
Will Balakrishna's entry into politics generate the kind of euphoria that his father, the legendary N T Rama Rao, created in 1983? Well, a lot of it depends on his latest release Okka Mogadu. If it goes on to become a super duper success like Narasimha Naidu or Samarasimha Reddy, there is looking back for Balakrishna. But the moot point is: will Balakrishna be content playing second fiddle to Chandrababu Naidu? Only time will tell. But, for the moment, he is basking in the newfound glory showered upon him by the TDP and his fans.

(The photos are of Balakrishna's birthday celebrations, 2006)

Chandrababu Naidu offers Rajya Sabha post to Balakrishna, tells partymen to donate blood on actor's birthday

The Telugu Desam has offered a Rajya Sabha seat to cine star Balakrishna in an attempt to bring him into the party fold as a ‘glamorous’ campaigner. TD chief Chandrababu Naidu assured Balakrishna, his brother-in-law and son of party founder N T Rama Rao, that he would be the sole TD nominee in the Rajya Sabha polls to be held next March. Naidu believes that Balakrishna’s presence will add charisma to the TD and will help it to ride back to power in the 2009 polls. In the post-NTR era, the TD has been sorely lacking glamorous campaigners.

Sources said that the TD supremo got a promise from Balakrishna that he would actively associate with the party activities henceforth. Significantly, Balakrishna made a statement few days ago asking TD workers to unite under Naidu’s leadership and to ensure that he became chief minister again. The relationship between the two will be further cemented by the marriage between the TD supremo’s son Lokesh Naidu and Balakrishna’s daughter Brahmani on August 26 this year. TD can send only one candidate every two years to the Rajya Sabha given its strength in the Assembly.
Two candidates have been chosen from Telangana and Rayalaseema. Now it would be the turn of Coastal Andhra, to which Balakrishna belongs. The star’s birthday falls on Sunday and his fans association will be organising a big blood donation camp at Rajahmundry, where he is shooting for a film. Interestingly, TD headquarters has instructed leaders and workers in Rajahmundry to actively participate in the blood donation camp and make it a grand success. Several party leaders including former MLA G Butchaiah Chowdary and Ganni Krishna are overseeing arrangements for the camp. Naidu is also planning to induct Harikrishna, another brother-in-law, either as TD general secretary or politburo member.

Why is Chandrababu Naidu hell-bent on roping in Balakrishna into the Telugu Desam Party?

Everyone knows that Chandrababu Naidu is a master in the art of realpolitik. His detractors have even compared him with Chanakya, the Machievalli of Indian politics. And naturally. For he is known to use the right people at the right time and dump them like hot potatoes once he achieves his objective. Mohan Babu, Jayaprada, Renuka Choudary, Rammoorthy Naidu, Harikrishna, Daggubati Venkateswara Rao -- he had the knack of using all of them to rebel against NTR and usurp the chief ministership of the State in 1996. And what did he do after becoming the CM? One by one, he got rid of them.

And for more than eight years, he didn't even give them a second glance. Not even at private parties and functions. But, now, with the elections drawing near, and with the party's image plummeting in the eyes of the people, he's realised that he needs star power to pull the masses back to the party. Because the alienation of the people has been so severe that even the so-called misdeeds of the Congress party under Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, are unable to bring the TDP any closer to the people.

Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Chandrababu Naidu realised that it is time to play the NTR card to the hilt. So the CEO of Indian politics thought of a brilliant plan to make it a realistic ideal -- rope in Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is presently blazing a trail in the Telugu film industry, to rev up the image of the party. But, with the NTR family being wary of his moves after the death of NTR, and later with the exit of Harikrishna from the party, earlier, he has come up with a marriage proposal. Of giving his son Lokesh in marriage with Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani.

This way, he not only has Balakrishna, who has kept away from politics all along, canvassing for his party, but can also hope to cash in on the glory of NTR. And everything seems to work according to his plans. For, initially, the NTR family, it is reliably learnt, was antithetical to the very proposal of giving Brahmani is marriag to Lokesh. But, Buvaneshwari stepped in to cut the ice.

Everything has worked well so far. How? Harikrishna was give his rightful due during the recently anniversary celebrations of the party in Tirupati. And two, he has dangled the carrot of Rajya Sabha seat to Balakrishna. What more, with Balakrishna busy shooting for his film Okka Mogadu near Rajahmundry, Chandrababu has reportedly told the partymen that the latter's birthday celebrations on June 10 in Rajahmundry, which Balakrishna is planning to celebrate with his fans, should be a party affair. And that no stone should be left unturned to make it a grand spectacle. Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary, a senior TDP leader from the place, has been personally supervising all the arrangements at Subrahmanya Grounds in Rajahmundry.

And there have been messages flying thick and fast from the top rung leaders in Hyderabad, a euphemism for Chandrababu's house, that no Telugu Desam flags or banners should be seen at the venue. Not even the colour yellow! Everything should look as if it is being done by Balakrishna's fans alone.

It is reliably learnt that Balakrishna is likely to make an important announcement concerning his entry into politics and his role in the Telugu Desam Party. While this has gladdened the heart of Chandrababu, it is also making him jittery, that Balakrishna might say something unusual that the party may not be unable to digest. But, is there anything that the diplomatic Chandrababu can't counter in his life?

Photo of Lokesh and Brahmani, the most-talked about couple in Andhra today

Mohan spews venom at casteism in Telugu film industry

Mohan Babu is an angry man today. And not without reason. Neither his career, nor that of his sons has been going anywhere. The next trip would be politics. He has joined Telugu Desam, but after a spat with Chandrababu, he was kicked out, literally. For a while he hobnobbed with BJP. But Chandrababu had a tie-up with BJP at that time, and ensured that Mohan Babu was nipped in the lotus bud. He knocked on Congress doors, but no one seemed to be interested in him. So, he was left nowhere to go in politics. And therefore, he started concentrating on his school in Tirupati and on his sons' careers. While Manoj is still to give a hit, the eldest son Vishnuvardhan Babu just about managed to get a toehold in Tollywood with the success of his latest film Dhee. The crux of the matter is: a couple of days back, he called for a press conference at Likhithapudi village in West Godavari to express his disappointment at the way casteism is thriving in politics and cinema. Which is why he has been away from politics for a while. However, he was quick to add that he was not going to be away from politics permanently. Basically, what he implies is that politics is dirty and the film industry too has caught on the dirt. Is it right, Mohan Babu?

HEADLINES OF THE DAY

* It's official now: Chandrababu Naidu's son, Lokesh, to wed Balakrishna's daughter, Brahmani, on August 26
(Look below for detailed story)

* Kamal Hasan's Dasavataram in the last stages of shooting

* Second schedule of Yamagola currently underway at Ramoji Film Studios

* Rajendra Prasad's film in regular shooting

It's official now: Lokesh to wed Brahmani on August 26

It's confirmed now. The marriage of Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh with Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani. And it comes from none other than Chandrababu Naidu himself. Naidu, when asked my newsmen whether they was any truth in the marriage rumours doing the rounds, replied in the affirmative. He said that the engagement hasn't taken place as rumoured, and explained that the marriage would take place in August. To be precise, he said the marriage might take place on August 26. "Brahmani is a very intelligent girl. And all of us like her. Since the kids are writing their exams, we didn't want to tell anyone."

Talking about his son for the first time, Naidu said, "My son is studying MBA in Stanford University, USA. He has still one more year to go. After the marriage, the girl will also go there."

Naidu hinted that the marriage will be a simple affair sans any hungama.

Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani is doing engineering in CBIT in Hyderabad.

Is Lokesh marrying Balakrishna's daughter?

It is a rumour that has been doing the rounds for more than six months now. That Chandrababu Naidu, who has been alienated from the NTR family, has been desperately making efforts to mend fences with NTR's family members. As a first step in that direction, it is said, he has opened the doors of TDP to Harikrishna. And now, we have been hearing that Naidu is harping on his son Lokesh marry Balakrishna's daughter. But, it is believed, that Balakrishna is not very enthu about the idea. And so, we hear, the proposal has been hanging in the balance. Now, a fresh rumour is doing the rounds that Balakrishna has indeed yielded to Naidu's requests and that the engagement has also taken place. But we are not sure whether it is true or not. Only time will tell.