The reports that the popular cricketer Ambati Tirupati Rayudu is going to make his debut into electoral politics in Andhra Pradesh by contesting the next assembly elections have created ripples in the state's political circles.
Hailing from the Kapu community, Ambati confirmed to the media a couple of days ago that he would be entering politics soon, stating that it was time for educated youngsters to join politics to make a difference.
Rayudu, who is currently playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said that although he was brought up in Hyderabad, he was interested in fighting the Andhra elections from his native place Guntur.
This led to discussions about which party Rayudu would choose. Sources close to him said that he was not keen on the YSR Congress party as he made certain critical comments against the Jagan Mohan Reddy government, albeit indirectly.
So, the options before him are the Telugu Desam Party or the Jana Sena Party. Since he hails from the Kapu community, it is guessed that he might prefer the Jana Sena Party led by power star Pawan Kalyan.
However, the latest talk that is doing rounds in the political circles is that the brain behind Rayudu's decision to enter Andhra politics is Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
Sources said Rayudu has close connections with the BRS leaders, especially KCR's nephew and state finance minister T Harish Rao. It is learned that Rayudu had bought a big chunk of land near Siddipet and had met the chief minister a couple of times in the farmhouse.
He also has close connections with BRS Andhra Pradesh unit president Thota Chandrasekhar, who is also from Guntur district. Thota, who is also a Kapu leader, is said to have acquaintances with Rayudu's family.
Apparently, KCR believes that Rayudu would add glamour to the BRS in Andhra and he could be a crowd puller for the party if it contests the next assembly elections there. So, Rayudu will test his political fortunes in Andhra by contesting on behalf of a Telangana-based party!
