Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu has cancelled his tour to Kadapa district to participate in the election campaign for the by-elections, following reports that Bhagwan Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has passed away.
Naidu was supposed to kick off his three-day electioneering in Kadapa from Sunday to give a moral boost to TDP candidate for Kadapa Lok Sabha seat M V Mysoora Reddy and for Pulivendula Assembly seat B Tech Ravi.
However, he received a message from Sri Satya Sai Central Trust authorities in the early morning that the Baba is no more. His party MLA from Puttaparthi Palle Raghunath Reddy also informed him about the developments.
Perhaps, Naidu thought it would not be appropriate for him to make political speeches and attack the rival parties, at a time when the entire country will be mourning Baba. Secondly, there are reports that other political parties also might not take up campaigning on Sunday in view of Baba’s death. And thirdly, Naidu’s presence in Puttaparthi is a must, because it is a TDP stronghold and therefore, he has to pay the last respects to Baba.
Indications are that former chief minister K Rosaiah, who is also campaigning in Kadapa, will rush to Puttaparthi by afternoon.
