It is a known fact that TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu was welcomed by a large number of supporters and party workers when he landed at the Shamshabad airport after successful completion of his Vastunna Meekosam padayatra.

However, there was one key TDP member who was not to be seen anywhere in the rally that proceeded from Shamshabad airport to Jubilee Hills Check Post.

Even hours after the TDP chief reached his residence in Hyderabad, the party leader had not turned up. This was strange considering Naidu was returning to his house several months later.

By now, you must have rightly guessed the person's name. Yep! The person is none other than Nandamuri Harikrishna. It's worth recalling here that Harikrishna had accompanied Naidu on the first day of his padaytra and even offered special pujas at the Suguru Hanuman temple for the grand success of his foot march. Strangely though, Harikrishna failed to show up on Naidu's return.

His absence at the mammoth public meeting at Vizag that marked the end of Naidu padayatra on Saturday had also raised eyebrows and added fuel to speculation that there was indeed a rift between the Nandamuri and Nara families.

However, the TDP leaders managed to convince the mass with the excuse that Harikrishna did not attend because of his ill-health. However, this time they may not be able to fool people. Considering Naidu was returning home after a long time and also the fact that both Harikrishna, Jr NTR were very much in town on Saturday it wouldn't have taken much effort to pay Naidu a visit.

This open secret has become a big worry to the TDP leaders. The buzz in the TDP circle is that Harikrishna is distancing himself from the party as he and NTR are not being given much importance. To add insult to injury a few wrong moves by Naidu has upset him. One, both NTR and Harikrishna's photos are nowhere in the TDP posters. Second, Jr NTR wasn't extended an invitation to attend the conclusion meeting. Thirdly, Balayya seems to be hogging the limelight. And perhaps the last straw in the hat was when Balakrishna gave an open warning to NTR on the YSRCP posters controversy.

- Siva@sakshipost