Why did Amit Shah meet media baron Ramoji Rao, Actor Jr NTR?

Hyderabad: Union Home Minister and BJP strongman Amit Shah's meeting with Ramoji Group including popular Telugu Daily Eenadu group chairman, Ch Ramoji Rao and RRR fame actor Jr N T Rama Rao has created a stir in political circles, especially in Telugu States. While BJP leaders describe it as a courtesy call, sources told Newsmeter that Amit Shah had invited star actor Jr N T Rama Rao to join BJP since "he will have good future politically in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states." Jr NTR reportedly promised to think it over.

Grandson of Telugu Desam founder and former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao and son of actor Hari Krishna, Jr NTR kept away from politics for long and focussing on films, where he is highly successful. Telugu Desam founded by his grandfather NT Rama Rao is now in tatters in Andhra Pradesh and wiped out in Telangana State after the defeat of N Chandrababu Naidu. Son Nara Lokesh too failed to create an impact in politics and lost in Mangalagiri Assembly constituency.

Though there has been on and off demand from some TDP supporters for Jr NTR to join politics and save TDP, he kept silent.

Interestingly, BJP still has cordial relationship with Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy led YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh and backing to NDA government at the Centre. But BJP is taking head on Chief Minister and TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao, who turned foe from pal in Telangana State! Amit Shah, it is learnt, wanted to meet both actors Jr N T Rama Rao and Ram Charan, son of star/actor Chiranjeevi and stars of RRR movie.

While one version says it's to congratulate them for the success of Telugu mega hit film RRR and acting, which has created waves in not only Telugu states but also across the country and world. Another version says it's to invite them to join BJP. However, Ram Charan could not meet Amit Shah due to prior commitments. BJP leaders assert Amit Shah was floored by the acting of Jr N T Rama Rao and Ram Charan in SS Rajamouli's mega hit RRR which is based on fictionalised story of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, both tribal leaders who fought British rule.

The film made its way to the Rotten Tomatoes, an American review aggregation website for films and television, best films of 2022 and reportedly raked in over Rs 1200 crore at global box office.

After meeting Jr NTR Sunday in a star hotel, Amit Shah who shared pictures with Jr NTR tweeted, "Had a good interaction with a very talented actor and the gem of our Telugu Cinema, Jr NTR in Hyderabad."

Photos of Amit Shah with Ramoji Rao too raised eye brows. While it's a norm top political bosses call on Eenadu media baron during elections to seek his media support, Amit Shah's meeting with Ramoji Rao, also a film producer, in Ramoji Film city added to the political gossip since TRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao recently attended a marriage in Ramoji family and there are rumours of gap of late despite it.

Sources in BJP said that the party was trying to forge an alliance of BJP, Jana Sena led by actor Pavan Kalyan and TDP to win in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in next polls. Amit Shah sought Eenadu group support for BJP party in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and other places especially in South where BJP eye for forming governments in next general elections. Amit Shah was in Hyderabad after addressing a public meeting in bye poll bound Munugode Assembly constituency.

Politics certainly is taking interesting turns in Telugu states!