Union defence minister and BJP heavyweight Rajnath Singh came to Hyderabad to call on the bereaved family of actor-politician UV Krishnam Raju. Rajnath not only called on Krishnam Raju’s wife, children, but he also took care to ensure that Bahubali star Prabhas was there. He also went to the condolence meeting of Krishnam Raju. But, Rajnath also saw to it that Prabhas accompanied him to the meeting. In fact, both went in the same car.
Sources say that there is a deep political calculation in Rajnath’s Hyderabad visit. Political watchers say that the visit was driven not so much by the love for Krishnam Raju, who was a union minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, but by the political importance of Prabhas. The BJP is planning to use Prabhas’ filmi charisma in the 2024 elections.
BJP also realizes that Prabhas is now a pan-India star especially after Bahubali. So, it wants to capitalize on his charisma in Karnataka and also in North India. Sources also say that Prabhas can help the BJP win over the Kshatriya votes in the coastal Andhra district and also in Hyderabad, especially in Kompally and Kukatpally.
There is also a buzz that Prabhas’s brother Prabodh, who performed the last rites of Krishnam Raju, would be made the BJP candidate from Narasapur lok sabha constituency in West Godavari district. If brother is in the fray, Prabhas is sure to campaign for him and his party, say sources. Rajnath’s visit thus has great political significance, say political watchers.