Amaravati, Sep 26 (NationPress) Renowned Tollywood star and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna branded former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy as a 'psycho', prompting a fierce backlash from the YSR Congress Party.

During a session in the State Assembly on Thursday, Balakrishna not only employed derogatory language towards the ex-CM but also implicated megastar Chiranjeevi in a controversy. He voiced his dissatisfaction with Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh for being listed ninth in an invitation from the Film Development Corporation.

Balakrishna, representing Hindupur and brother-in-law to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, ignited a controversy with his statements, as Chiranjeevi quickly responded. The opposition party, YSR Congress, interpreted this as a sign of discord within the ruling TDP coalition.

Kandula Durgesh is affiliated with the Jana Sena Party, led by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who is also a prominent actor and Chiranjeevi's younger brother.

The situation escalated when BJP MLA Kamineni Srinivas claimed that during the YSRCP's tenure, Tollywood figures struggled to secure appointments to discuss industry matters with the then Chief Minister. Srinivas further alleged that a delegation had to wait for Chiranjeevi to raise his voice before Jagan Mohan Reddy would meet them.

Balakrishna contested Srinivas's assertions, labeling them as untrue. He remarked that a group of film industry representatives sought to meet the 'psycho' (referring to Jagan Mohan Reddy).

He stated, 'It's incorrect that he (former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy) met them (Tollywood representatives) only after Chiranjeevi raised his voice.' The actor also alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy had wanted the delegation to speak with the Cinematography Minister instead.

Balakrishna expressed his disappointment over being placed ninth on an invitation list he received from the Film Development Corporation for discussions on industry-related issues. He directly confronted Minister Kandula Durgesh about this.

Following Balakrishna's remarks in the Assembly, Chiranjeevi clarified that he was invited to the former Chief Minister's residence. He explained that he had discussed the challenges facing the Tollywood industry and sought an audience for a delegation of industry representatives.

Chiranjeevi added that he was initially informed that due to Covid-19 protocols, only five individuals were permitted, but they later agreed to a 10-member delegation. He attempted to contact Balakrishna to join them but was unable to reach him.

The megastar conveyed that the discussions with the Chief Minister were amicable, resulting in the government agreeing to raise cinema ticket prices.

The YSR Congress Party reacted strongly to Balakrishna's statements in the Assembly. Former MP Bharat Margani condemned Balakrishna's use of derogatory language.

MLC Tumati Madhava Rao criticized Balakrishna for speaking out of context, making comments that revealed internal divisions within the ruling TDP coalition.

'If Balakrishna has issues with Chandrababu Naidu or Pawan Kalyan, he should address them within his party. Dragging Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy into their factional disputes is unacceptable,'

he remarked. YSRCP General Secretary Jupudi Prabhakar labeled Balakrishna the real 'psycho', asserting that 'No one surpasses Balakrishna in such behavior.' He noted that Balakrishna had even obtained a mental health certificate during the Bellamkonda Suresh shooting incident. He added that Balakrishna's frustration might be rooted in being sidelined by Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan within the ruling TDP coalition.