VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has demanded that Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, be conferred on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) founder and former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao (NTR).
Participating in the TDP’s annual conclave, Mahanadu, on Thursday, Naidu moved a resolution paying tributes to NTR to mark the birth anniversary of the legendary leader. The resolution seeking Bharat Ratna for NTR was unanimously adopted on the second day of Mahanadu.
Naidu described NTR as a symbol of Telugu self-respect and one of the most influential figures in Indian political history.
“The demand for Bharat Ratna to NTR is not just ours, but that of all Telugu people. He was a visionary leader who brought transformational changes in national politics, and worked tirelessly for the unity and self-respect of Telugu people,” Naidu said.
Recalling NTR's extraordinary journey, the Chief Minister noted that the iconic leader rose from humble beginnings as a sub-registrar to become a celebrated film superstar and later the Chief Minister of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.
He highlighted NTR’s lasting contributions to cinema through his portrayals of mythological characters like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, as well as his unprecedented political rise. “Within just nine months of launching the TDP, NTR became the Chief Minister.
The regional party founded by him later played a crucial role in national politics and in the formation of governments at the Centre,” Naiduremarked.