NTR championed equal property rights for women and introduced reservations for them in local governance. He also established a dedicated women’s university to promote their education

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu credited NTR with giving Telugu people an identity on the national stage, saying, “There was a time when we were derogatorily called ‘Madrasis’, NTR made the nation take note of the Telugu community's significance, shaking the corridors of Delhi to secure our rightful place.”

Paying tribute to the legendary Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) on his 29th death anniversary, Babu addressed a gathering at Maidukuru in Kadapa district.  The Chief Minister lauded NTR as a symbol of Telugu pride, a revolutionary beyond a name, who transformed politics and governance to serve the people.

“Telugu pride will forever resonate in the name of NTR. He was a leader who relentlessly fought for the self-respect of Telugu people and became a beacon of hope for the poor and marginalized,” Naidu stated.

He added,  “NTR gave a new definition to politics. He showed the world that politics isn’t about dominance but about uplifting the lives of the poor. He achieved the unimaginable by bringing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to power within nine months of its formation,” Naidu said.

Naidu recalled NTR's welfare schemes, including the ground breaking Rs.2 per kilogram rice scheme, pensions for the poor, and political opportunities for backward classes. “What the country is discussing today, food security, was implemented by NTR decades ago. He was the first to ensure pensions for the poor and laid the foundation for women's property rights in India,” he noted.

NTR championed equal property rights for women and introduced reservations for them in local governance. He also established a dedicated women’s university to promote their education. His welfare schemes touched every segment of society farmers, labourers, and minorities,” Naidu remarked. The Chief Minister announced that the TDP is committed to carrying forward NTR's legacy by eradicating poverty and ensuring comprehensive welfare.

He also highlighted NTR's efforts in initiating irrigation projects such as Telugu Ganga, Handri Neeva, and Galeru-Nagari to address water scarcity in Rayalaseema. Meanwhile, Minister Nara Lokesh also paid tribute to NTR at the NTR Ghat in Hyderabad and stated that discussions are underway regarding the revival of the party in Telangana.

Lokesh announced that a comprehensive plan for the party's future activities in the state would soon be unveiled. He added that the TDP is planning to launch various initiatives in Telangana in the near future.