Revanth Reddy hails NTR as a leader beyond politics

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy described the welfare programmes in Telangana were due to the inspiration of the vision and the seeds laid by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and late Chief Minister of combined Andhra Pradesh N.T. Rama Rao.

He said that anyone seeking inspiration from Indian history should remember three great national icons, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi, and N.T. Rama Rao, who brought significant change in the lives of people with their policies.

Unveiling the statue of N.T. Rama Rao at Maitrivanam in Ameerpet, Mr Reddy described the Telugu Desam Party founder N.T. Rama Rao as a “great leader whom the nation would always be proud of.”

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy unveils the statue of former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh N. T. Rama Rao at Maitrivanam Junction in Hyderabad on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
G RAMAKRISHNA

The Chief Minister said Dr. Ambedkar secured voting rights for the poor through the Constitution, while former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi introduced land reforms that empowered the underprivileged. On the other hand, Mr. N.T. Rama Rao gave political power to the downtrodden, abolishing the ‘Patel Patwari’ system in the combined Andhra Pradesh and also empowered women by making them equal partners in the property share.

Responding to criticism over a Congress Chief Minister unveiling the statue of N.T. Rama Rao, he said the legend belonged to the entire nation and stood above caste, religion, and regional divides. “This is not merely the unveiling of a statue, but a tribute to an inspiration that transcends politics,” he said.

The Chief Minister recalled that Mr. N.T. Rama Rao introduced and encouraged several prominent leaders from Telangana, including Tummala Nageswara Rao, Mandava Venkateswara Rao, Kadiyam Srihari, and Motkupalli Narasimhulu. He also remarked that former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao too got his political life from N.T. Rama Rao.

Mr Reddy said the inspiration behind the State government’s subsidised fine rice scheme lay in NTR’s historic ₹2-per-kg rice scheme. He added that several welfare measures for women and weaker sections also drew inspiration from the legendary leader. “In every decision our government takes, the inspiration of Indiramma and NTR is visible. ” he said.

The Chief Minister stated that the government was working towards empowering one crore women economically and making farmers prosperous. He also recalled that NTR had effectively implemented reservations for women in local bodies following the initiative taken by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The Chief Minister also recalled how the government plans to establish the “Bharat Future City” across 30,000 acres and attract global companies, which was inspired by the combined AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the Congress governments that created new cities in Hyderabad.