It has been several months since Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu announced his plan to induct Naga Babu into the Cabinet, but that move hasn’t materialised yet.
Many in the TDP cadre opposed the idea because of their past experiences with Naga Babu. He had often criticised the TDP, its leaders, and particularly Nandamuri Balakrishna, using harsh and personal language that went beyond political debate.
After being made an MLC, Naga Babu appears to have changed his tone and is behaving more responsibly. His recent response to political controversies reflects a more measured approach.
Last month, Balakrishna’s comments in the Assembly stirred controversy when he called Jagan Mohan Reddy a “Psycho Gadu.” Though he did not attack Chiranjeevi directly, his tone lacked respect.
In response, Chiranjeevi released a strong press statement that indirectly helped the YSR Congress Party, creating embarrassment for both Pawan Kalyan and Naga Babu. The YSRCP later used the issue to target the TDP-Janasena alliance.
Neither Pawan Kalyan nor Naga Babu reacted to Balakrishna’s remarks publicly. When Naga Babu was asked about it in an interview, he handled it calmly, saying, “When we are in an alliance, there are certain things we should follow, whether we like it or not. Chandrababu Garu does that for TDP, Pawan Kalyan for us, and Purandeshwari for the BJP.”
This composed response is a welcome change from Naga Babu’s earlier, impulsive reactions that often created problems for his brother Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan. His restraint now could help both his political career and Janasena’s image.
Perhaps the thought of a Cabinet berth is motivating this maturity. Still, it’s also fair to say that Balakrishna needs to exercise caution too. As a three-time MLA, the responsibility on him to maintain decorum is even greater.
