Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said AP would fight for the award of Bharat Ratna to former chief minister NT Rama Rao.
“Giving Bharat Ratna to the late NTR means respecting the Telugu people. Hence we will fight until he is given this,” he said on Saturday while demanding the Centre that this be done.
Naidu participated as the chief guest in the NTR Cine Vajrotsavam held at Poranki on the outskirts of Vijayawada. Along with former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, he launched the book ‘Taraka Ramam- Annagari Antarangam’.
Naidu said, “NTR acted in 300 films. He lived in every role. There is no other actor who has played such diverse roles as him. We see God in the form of NTR. He played all kinds of roles and impressed the people. He did research and played the roles of sage Veerabrahmendra Swamy and poet Srinathudu.”
The CM said, “NTR is remembered for the self-respect and manliness of the Telugu people. NTR is the only leader who has run a regional party with national sentiments. When there was a drought in Rayalaseema and a cyclone in Diviseema, donations were collected by NTR who said that society is a temple and the poor are gods. Inspired by NTR, we are working for a society free from poverty.”
Venkaiah Naidu mentioned the services of NTR to the public as CM and Leader of Opposition. He said that NTR will remain in history forever for demonstrating Telugu pride worldwide.
Senior film actress Jayaprada, producers Suresh Babu and Adiseshagiri Rao, late NTR family members and many film and political figures participated in the programme.
