Think Alai Balai, the affable visage of Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya readily comes to mind. For the past 17 years, he has been regularly organising the Alai Balai get-together for the people of both the Telugu states. These programmes have become the meeting point for people from different ideologies and persuasions.

This year too, the Alai Balai is being organised on a grand scale on October 17 at Jal Vihar near the secretariat. An interesting feature this year is that at least three CMs would be attending. Besides the two Telugu CMs, Haryana CM Khattar too is likely to attend the meet. Sources also say that vice-president Venkaiah Naidu too may grace the occasion.

In another first, Dattatreya has also invited Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan to the get-together. Dattatreya’s daughter Vijayalakshmi personally handed over the invitation to Pawan Kalyan and invited him to the event. Pawan is likely to attend the meeting, say sources.

Sources say that Bandaru Dattatreya is promoting her daughter Vijayalakshmi as his heir in politics. These days she is seen very active in the BJP affairs in Telangana. She was also seen in the recent Padayatra of Bandi Sanjay. This year’s Alai Balai is being organised by Vijayalakshmi, say insiders.