Telugu Desam star campaigner Nandamuri Balakrishna is more than ready to contest against megastar and Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi in the next elections.

"If the party directs me to do so, I am prepared to contest even against Chiranjeevi. Or for that matter from anywhere in the State. And I challenge that I will emerge victorious in this contest," he said.

However, Balaiah made it clear that except him, no other person from NTR family would contest the elections. "Jr NTR, Taraka Ratna and Kalyam Ram will campaign for the party, but not contest the elections at present," he said.

Why is Praja Rajyam party president Chiranjeevi making so much fuss about Telugu Desam party carrying N T Rama Rao's portrait during its election campaign?

According to TD leaders, the answer is simple: If TD highlights NTR during its campaign, people would definitely draw a comparison between him and Chiranjeevi. Already, Chiru's speeches have failed to generate any enthusiasm among the people, as they are dull and drab. They are coming in large numbers to his meetings, but they are finding that his speeches do not have any punch and sting that NTR used to have.

And once Balakrishna enters the scene and goes about with his road shows with NTR's portrait in the backdrop, people will definitely get attracted towards him. Hence, Chiru is raking up the issue of NTR to convey to the people that the NTR legacy in TD had already been lost.