Ahead of the Assembly elections, Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao showered heaps of praises on TDP founder and former CM N.T. Rama Rao. “NTR is a great personality and his greatness should be admitted. It was NTR who made the entire world know about the existence of Telugus,” he said.
Speaking after unveiling the statue of NTR in Khammam, marking his birth centenary, KTR said that NTR was an acclaimed actor and that he also strived for the uplift of the poor. We cannot refuse to give the credit of making the entire nation know about the existence of Telugus on this land. This is a fact and it cannot be denied, he said.
Political analysts view this unusual appreciation as a move to garner the votes of the Andhra settlers in Khammam, at the Andhra-Telangana border. The votes of settlers played a crucial role in the victory of the BRS during the GHMC elections held in the past.
Then, KTR credited BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for making the entire nation know about Telangana and its achievements.
“KCR is NTR’s disciple. NTR could not make one accomplishment but his disciple KCR has the opportunity and ability to become a hat-trick CM.”
NTR could not become a hat-trick CM during his rule but his soul would be happy if he knows that his disciple KCR has achieved it, he said.
Indirectly, KTR urged the public at the gathering to vote the BRS to power for a third time in the 2023 Assembly elections and repose their faith in KCR.
It is pertinent to note that just a couple of days ago, KTR took exception to Andhra settlers staging protests in Hyderabad against the ‘illegal arrest’ of TDP president and former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu. Sensing that his statements had brought some disrepute to the BRS, KTR tried to go in the damage control mode.
Even the YCP showers encomiums on NTR but both the parties — BRS and YCP, are exhibit rivalry with current TDP president and former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu.