An increased political role for the family members of Telugu matinee idol the late N T Rama Rao in the Telugu Desam Party became evident with their joint participation on Wednesday in the 86th birth anniversary function of the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister.

NTR's son Balakrishna and grandson Junior NTR, both popular actors, appeared together at NTR Ghat in Hyderabad, and paid floral tributes. There has been speculation in political circles that NTR's scions would play an active role in the TDP ahead of the 2009 state assembly elections.

NTR's son-in-law and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu [Images] has been wooing the family members of the actor in a bid to attract the masses, amid reports of a political foray by superstar Chiranjeevi [Images]. Naidu's son got married to Balakrishna's daughter last year further strengthening the family ties.

The TDP chief is said to have convinced his brother-in-law and junior NTR to participate in the campaign for the party. NTR's daughter and Naidu's wife Bhuvaneshwari and other family members too visited NTR's memorial to pay their respects.

Speaking to reporters at the event, Balakrishna said his services were always available for the party but he remained evasive when asked whether he would contest the next elections on a TDP ticket.