It is not just Tamil Nadu that is witnessing political drama. In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh too, a high voltage political battle is on between chief minister N Chandra Babu Naidu and his challenger YS Jagan Reddy engaged in a battle royal for Nandyal assembly bye election.

The seat was held by TDP, but now is finding the going tough in the bye election to Nandyal in Rayalaseema region that goes to poll on August 23.

As if the big fight is not enough, the TDP is also hit by negative publicity arising out of one of its star campaigners – film actor Balakrishna, who is a relative of NTR and an MLA too from neighbouring constituency. Balakrishna was caught on camera slapping a fan, who garlanded him and wanted to take a selifie with his idol.

The boorish behaviour from Balakrishna, a repeat offender, is not going down well with the people. And this is precisely what Jagan Reddy is exploiting to the hilt.

Balakrishna slapped a fan on Thursday and the video clipping of the incident wen viral. Nandamuri Balakrishna is not new to controversies. Few days before , the actor slapped an assistant director on the sets of his film. Popularly known as Balayya, Balakrishna is former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao’s son, and the brother-in-law of current Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

So, this incident came in handy to the son of another former chief minister YS Rajashekhar Reddy, Jagan Reddy, who is milking the incident to the maximum.

“His behaviour is reflective of the arrogance of those in power,” Jagan Reddy said in conversation with a group of media persons.

Chief Minister CB Naidu lacks credibility and he never fulfils the promises he made, alleged Jagan Reddy appealing to the people to vote for value based politics and defeat the “corrupt” regime in Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a road show here on Thursday as part of his electioneering he said, ‘Credibility is one quality which every leader should have and those who go back on the election promises should be summarily rejected by the ballot.

Chandrababu Naidu has amassed Rs 3.50 lakh crores through corrupt means and is trying to buy the votes distributing notes for votes, Reddy alleged and recalled his role in cash for vote case in the neighbouring Telangana state is fresh in the memory of the people.

“This is an election that will pave way for a healthy trend in politics and I appeal to the voters to give their nod to a candidate and party that has credibility and will stand by their side at all times. Every vote counts and you must decide the future course of the state,” Reddy said.

Naidu on the other hand rubbished all the charges and said that the people know the reality and teach Jagan Reddy a lesson.