Hyderabad: Junior NTR, popular Telugu film actor and star campaigner of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has suffered multiple injuries after a road accident in Andhra Pradesh, police said on Friday.
The accident took place late Thursday when the Tata Safari vehicle in which he was travelling turned turtle and hit a tree in Nalgonda district, 170 km east of here.
Junior NTR, grandson of legendary actor and TDP founder N T Rama Rao, was returning to Hyderabad from Khammam district after campaigning when the accident occurred. He was driving the vehicle.
He suffered injuries on head, temple, shoulder and elbow and has been shifted to the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Secunderabad here. Doctors said he was out of danger but needed complete rest for four to six weeks.
Two people accompanying him were also injured. They have been identified as actor Rajiv Kanakala, who was sitting beside Junior NTR, and junior artist Srinivas Reddy, who was on the rear seat.
The actor's supporters and TDP leaders in other vehicles in his convoy first shifted them to a hospital in Suryapet town for first aid. They were later brought to KIMS in the state capital.
According to the police, the accident occurred at a sharp turn at Mothe village near Suryapet town.
"Apparently, he could not see the turn and suddenly applied the brakes leading to the accident," Nalgonda District Superintendent of Police B. Srinivas told reporters.
Junior NTR, who hit the campaign trail two weeks ago, was returning to Hyderabad to celebrate Ugadi (Telugu New Year day) with his family and also to hold talks with TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu for a party ticket to one of his followers.
According to informed sources, Junior NTR was unhappy with Naidu for denying an assembly ticket to his follower and the TDP chief had called him for talks.
Junior NTR's relatives other senior TDP leaders have rushed to the hospital. His father is actor N. Harikrishna.
Actor N. Balakrishna, who is also campaigning for the TDP and rushed to the hospital, said: "The blessings of his fans have saved his life".
NTR's elder son-in-law Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao, who is a legislator of the ruling Congress party, also rushed to the hospital.
The accident dealt a blow to TDP's campaign as Junior NTR was attracting huge crowds since he launched his campaign in Srikakulam district in north coastal Andhra. His resemblance to his legendary grandfather and the theatrical punch in his speeches proved a big hit with people.
He covered six districtS during the last 14 days, reminding people of the popularity of his grandfather, who had created a record by coming to power within nine months of launching the TDP in 1982.
Junior NTR was originally scheduled to cover the entire state in 40 days.
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