i

NIVEDITA PUBLICATIONS
D. No. 8-2-674/2/B/4/29,
Plot No. 65, Road No. 13, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad-500 034
Edited narrated in EngIish by
M.RAFI M.A.Litt|, B.G.L., D.P.R.,
8enior ]ournalist Academic
Dr. Daggubati Venkateswara Rao
u /au-aep iata te ,uot...
ii
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iii
A few little words .......................................................................... 1
l|ow l|om my hea| l
Childhood and college days .......................................................... 2
Ny debul iu po|ilics loo...!
NTR enters public life .................................................................. 4
Te|ugu esam Pa| ly comes iulo beiug
The greatness is yours...! ................................................................ 6
lTR lhau|s lhe peop|e ol AP
The flag, symbol and colour ......................................................... 8
wheu ideas l|ow dowu ou pape|
The maiden 'Mahanadu' ............................................................. 10
huge |a||y aud sea ol c|owds...!
The badge of honour ................................................................... 12
isl|icl-wise membe|ship eu|o||meul
Secret parleys with Opposition ................................................... 14
Nedia a|so |epl al a|ms |euglh
Though I wanted to leave... ........................................................ 16
Silualiou made my p|eseuce iuevilab|e
Babu disregards invitation ........................................................... 18
Says comlo| lab|e as miuisle| iu Coug|ess ovl
Ramoji favours regional party ...................................................... 20
luviles lTR lo diuue|
All set for Tirupati 'Mahanadu' .................................................. 22
N|. Cheuchu|amaiah's aclive |o|e
NTR expels 3 legislators .............................................................. 24
ladeud|a uuhappy wilh my allilude
KCR, Jana Reddy join TDP ....................................................... 26
Auauda ajapalhi aud Nuddu||ishuama loo
Richly talented, well-informed ................................................... 29
evoliou, dedicaliou aud dele|miualiou... lTR's lo| le
iv
District-level panels formed ........................................................ 32
li/amabad meeliug lu|us siguilicaul
Chevrolet emerges from junk ...................................................... 34
0peu-lop Nahiud|a p|oves iucouveuieul
Chakravarthy does it all ............................................................... 37
lTR gels pa| ly sougs w|illeu
NTR's night halt at Karamchedu ............................................... 39
upeud|a spolled, iuviled lo b|ea|lasl
NTR sworn in Chief Minister..................................................... 41
TP caplu|es 2O8 Assemb|y seals
Chandrababu Naidu shifts to TDP ............................................ 44
Vadde Sobhauad|eeswa|a Rao, mauy mo|e loo...
Sycophants and white elephants...! ............................................. 46
Chaud|ababu laidu b|iugs iu his 'cu|lu|e'
Great leaders throng Vijayawada ................................................ 48
lew sl|alegies come lo lhe lo|e
A new era dawns .......................................................................... 51
Ny maideu wiu l|om Na|lu|
NTR in US for surgery ................................................................ 53
ladeud|a's bid lo usu|p powe|
NTR wins struggle, regains kingdom.......................................... 55
Coul|ove|sia| ove|uo| Ram La| oul
NTR dissolves Assembly ............................................................. 57
wilh l|ieud|y pa|lies wius 2O2 seals
Corruption behind NTR...! ........................................................ 59
Chaud|ababu laidu lhe c|eve|esl
I get berth in ministry.................................................................. 62
iveu Nedica| aud hea|lh po| llo|io
None allowed to collect funds .................................................... 66
lTR's p|ecaulious lo| Vijayawada Nahauadu
Arson, looting in Vijayawada ...................................................... 69
Vaugaveeli Rauga Nu|de|ed
NTR sacks 30 ministers .............................................................. 71
iuue| dip|omacy la|es l|oul seal
v
I am in ministry again.................................................................. 73
Vasaulha lageswa|a Rao vs. Raghu|am
Srinivasulu Reddy quits ............................................................... 75
ll's Chaud|ababu laidu's p|oy
Bolt from the blue...! ................................................................... 77
ealh uews ol my lalhe| made me dumb-louud
A breach of agreement ................................................................ 79
Chaud|ababu laidu's doub|e game
Congress Government in AP ....................................................... 82
TP eule|s Assemb|y as 0pposiliou
Rajiv Gandhi assassinated ........................................................... 84
A|sou, |iol iu Audh|a P|adesh loo
Manmohan in PV cabinet ........................................................... 86
ll's Coug|ess ove|umeul agaiu
Bandh total, peaceful in AP ........................................................ 88
lepolism |eigus sup|eme eve|ywhe|e
TDP's peaceful resentment ......................................................... 90
Bab|i Nosque lu||y demo|ished
PV seeks confidence vote ............................................................ 92
upeud|a e/pe||ed l|om TP
Lakshmi Parvathi in NTR's life ................................................... 94
Big |espouse lo Rajahmuud|y pub|ic meeliug
Ryots' meet a grand success ......................................................... 98
ealh ol Vee|aiah Chowda|y mou|ued
Renuka Chowdary expelled ...................................................... 100
Chaud|ababu laidu ou a p|ovo|iug game
Venugopalachari suspended ...................................................... 102
la|asimhu|u |eadmilled iu TP
NTR signs first file on prohibition ........................................... 104
l|om Ti|upali lo S|i|a|u|am...l|ave|s by l|aiu
NTR's concern over violence ..................................................... 106
immic|s ol Chaud|ababu laidu
Mohanbabu proposes 2 candidates ........................................... 109
Seal-sha|iug wilh Reds mulua||y he|ped
vi
Don't feed a snake, says NTR ................................................... 111
Babu see|s La|shmi Pa|valhi's appoiulmeul
Governance at doorstep ............................................................. 117
lTR visils Sl. Louis iu lew Yo||
I am CM because of NTR : Lalu .............................................. 119
lalioua| l|oul |eade|s meel iu lew e|hi
35 MLAs defy directive ............................................................. 122
Najo|ily ol |ebe|s be|oug lo Chaud|ababu laidu
Political conspiracy begins ......................................................... 124
ll adds lue| lo lhe li|e
Never harm NTR, pleads Purandeswari ................................... 126
ha|i||ishua wauls lo be a miuisle|
Members of NTR family........................................................... 129
P|ele|euces aud behaviou|s
Let NTR continue as CM : Balakrishna ................................... 131
ll's loo |ale lo chauge decisiou, says Chaud|ababu laidu
NTR sacked disgracefully ......................................................... 133
Chaud|ababu laidu e|ecled |eade|
Chandrababu Naidu seizes power............................................. 135
lTR iu quesl ol juslice
Chandrababu Naidu wins court cases ....................................... 137
A|| p|eas ol lTR go uuheeded
The last journey ......................................................................... 140
A s|ip belweeu lhe cup aud |ips ol lhe poo|
The treasure hunt ...................................................................... 144
whal did she do alle| a||...!
NTR-TDP enters Rajya Sabha ................................................. 146
l made il by od's g|ace
Deve Gowda succeeds Vajpayee as PM .................................... 148
Sl|auge deve|opmeuls iu ludiau po|ilica| hislo|y
A short-lived government at Centre .......................................... 150
Chaud|ababu laidu bac|s BJP
vii
NTR's rice scheme, prohibition abolished................................ 152
ha|i||ishua l|ays Chaud|ababu laidu lo| co||upliou
IT growth a global phenomenon .............................................. 154
Bi||gales, Bi|| C|iulou visil AP
Power projects in dark ............................................................... 156
whe|e's Swa|uaudh|a P|adesh...?
Vision-2020 sans mission .......................................................... 158
C|o|es me|l dowu lo| a dislaul d|eam
Prime land at throw-away price...! ............................................ 161
0l |ic|bac|s aud mu|li-scams
Brothers wish her all the best .................................................... 164
Ni|es ol po|ilica| jou|uey begius wilh a sma|| slep
Honour, laurels all the way ....................................................... 166
'Asiau Age' adjudges he| besl pa||iameula|iau
Balakrishna hospitalised ............................................................ 169
Couce|u ove| hea|lh amoug lami|y membe|s
Lokesh weds Brahmini .............................................................. 172
A|| 's we|| lhal euds we||
To brothers with love ................................................................ 175
Pu|audeswa|i heaves he| hea| l iulo peu
He's worse than Godse : NTR................................................... 180
ll's shamelu|, uupa|douab|e...!
All in race...! Who'll be the winner...? ...................................... 186
whal's iu slo|e lo| AP...od ou|y |uows...!
We're partners to that 'sin' ......................................................... 189
Lel uol lhe hislo|y |epeal, p|ease...!
NTR most popular even today ................................................. 194
espile commuuilies, laus a|e lo|eve|...!
viii
1
EMORIES oI the past even iI Iorgotten, do not perish. But
mine are unIorgettable ones. In this process oI my recollections,
I do remember many incidents. Everything occurs in my mind
like Iigures in a dream. It`s only my deliberate attempt to ink my Ilow oI nonstop
thoughts...and...the result is...this book...!
I had been to Karamchedu as usual. I was restless, spending Iour sleepless
nights due to a stream oI wandering thoughts. Finally, a decision emerged in me. It
was to write about me and the situations I had Iaced. OI course, I am not that genius
to pen a book. I have been in public liIe Ior the past three decades. Very strange are
the incidents, situations and people, we come across...get involved during our daily
chores oI liIe...most oI which or whom, we do not Ieel like remembering...but still,
only a Iew continue to linger long in our memories.
During the course oI my journey into the past, I came across certain incredible
bitter truths about several people oI diIIerent tastes, preIerences and insatiable thirst
Ior power. Being an Indian citizen...now, I Ieel it as one oI my responsibilities to
enlighten the society with the Iacts those I have known...This small eIIort oI mine will
make every reader see and understand :1he other side of truth...' in a nutshell...!!

very strooge ore tbe iocideots, situotioos ood

peop/e,we come ocross duriog our doi/y cbores oj
/ije...most oj wbicb or wbom, we do oot jee/ /ike
rememberiog but sti//, oo/y o jew oj tbose cootioue
to /ioger /oog io our memories.

. , .
|Daggubati Venkateswara Rao|
2
SPENT my childhood days at Karamchedu village oI
Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, where I completed my
primary education. I prosecuted Pre-University Course in
Andhra Loyola College, Vijayawada.
Graduated in medicine Irom Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal.
Subsequently, I acquired Post Graduate diploma in Chennai. I made my debut in
politics, while doing my Iinal year studies.
There have been no incidents worth mentioning during my student days,
except a Iew... when I was elected Class Pupil Leader |CPL| and School Pupil
Leader |SPL| Irom Class-VI to SSLC. Also, I was the general secretary oI the
college having been elected unanimously during students union elections.
During my early childhood, I remember, I used to go to a canal Ior swimming
under the able guidance oI my uncle, Mr. Durgaiah, who taught me the rudiments.
Doing exercises, reading the translation works oI Mr.Sarat Chandra Chatterjee and
during some social service activities like cleaning garbage Irom drainages, where my
other activities.
, ~ . .

A oew re/otioosbip wos boro witb tbe

R1k jomi/y io 1971, wbeo my sister wos
giveo io morrioge to Mr. Joyokrisboo, tbe
e/dest soo oj Mr. komo koo. Lxoct/y eigbt
yeors /oter, oo Moy 9, 1979 Roodomuri
Puroodeswori eotered my / ije os my
betterbo/j ood become 0ogguboti
Puroodeswori tbereojter.

3
Acharya Vinoba Bhave`s preaching inIluenced me much through my uncle.
Being a student leader in those days, my main role centered round to prevent violence
during agitations.
An incident, which I still remember was, the agitation in 1969Ior a separate
state, when all schools in Andhra area were closed Iorcibly. As an SPL, I prevented
the closure oI the YSO High School at Karamchedu and made it run as usual with
that combined state principle.
A new relationship was born with the NTR Iamily in 1971, when my sister was
given in marriage to Mr. Jayakrishna, the eldest son oI Mr. N.T. Rama Rao.
Exactly eight years later...on May 9, 1979 Nandamuri Purandeswari entered
my liIe as my better-halI and became Daggubati Purandeswari thereaIter.
4
the political history oI the people oI Andhra Pradesh, a
brand-new Telugu Desam Party was born on March 29,
1982. An interesting incident took place on March 21, when
Mr.Rama Rao convened an inIormal press meet at his Ramakrishna Cine Studios in
Hyderabad and announced that he was entering public liIe. Nothing was elaborated
about the modalities. Later, he went to Ooty Ior a shooting. It so happened that I
accidentally came to Hyderabad the next day Irom Madras, where my residence
was located.
Three days had passed aIter Mr.Rama Rao made that announcement. Some
developments had taken place at the political Iront... Mr. Nadendla Bhaskara Rao
quit the Congress party along with the legislators... Mr. Adaiah, Mr. Rathaiah and
Mr. Narayana. On assumption that Mr. Rama Rao was arriving in Hyderabad on
March 29 and that he was reaching Mr. Nadendla`s house directly Irom the airport,
I along with some oI my Iriends, the advocate, Mr. Jasti Chalameswara Rao |now
ChieI Justice oI Assam| and Mr. M.S. Prasad, an advocate in the High Court, reached
the house oI Mr. Bhaskara Rao, where discussions about the arrangements ensued.
With a note oI rejoice, Mr. Bhaskara Rao replied that all arrangements
were on pipeline. But our concern was that iI Mr. Rama Rao announced his decision
to Iorm a party without the cognisance oI the people oI Andhra Pradesh, what would
be the Iuture?
, ;~. ~., .. . .,

we requested Mr. komo koo{wbo wos io 0oty tbeo] seekiog bis

direct orrivo/ ot tbe komokrisboo Cioe 5tudios, iosteod oj reocbiog
Mr.Rodeod/o 8boskoro koo's bouse. 8ut to our surprise, be to/d us
tbot be wou/d go to Mr. 8boskoro koo's bouse jrom tbe oirport,
sioce be o/reody gove o word to bim. 1be ordeo/ oj tbe jouroey
jrom tbe oirport to tbe Jubi/ee Bi//s, wbere Mr. 8boskoro koo
resided, took oot /ess tboo 3 bours.

5
Later, we assembled at the Ramakrishna Theatre in Abids, where
Mr. Chowdary came and inIormed us that he was the owner oI a transport organisation
with a Ileet oI 40 lorries. He oIIered his transport services Iree oI cost, wherever we
needed. OI course, the transport Iacility was there but the million dollar question was
the crowd. The very next day we issued a small aa` in Eenaau`, a popular Telugu
daily, inIorming that the transport Iacility was made available on behalI oI NTR Fans
Association` at all important hotel-points, so that interested Ians oI NTR could reach
the airport and cheerIully extend tumultuous welcome to him. Meanwhile, we requested
Mr. Rama Rao, who was in Ooty then, seeking his direct arrival at the Ramakrishna
Cine Studios, instead oI reaching Mr. Bhaskara Rao`s house.
But to our surprise, he told us that he would go to Mr. Bhaskara Rao`s
house Irom the airport, since he already gave a word to him. As per the schedule,
Mr. Rama Rao landed in Hyderabad Irom Ooty on March 29, 1982 at 10 am.
Thoug Mr. Bhaskara Rao said that he would take care oI all arrangements, he arranged
only a small convoy oI 10 cars Irom the Old City and the rest oI the people along
with thousands oI Iollowers, who saw our classiIied in Eenaau`, made their own
arrangements to receive their leader. The ordeal oI the journey Irom the airport to
the Jubilee Hills, where Mr. Bhaskara Rao resided, took not less than 3 hours.
There, he introduced the legislators Mr. Adaiah, Mr. Rattaiah and Mr.Narayana
along with some elites oI the state to Mr. Rama Rao and a tea-party Iollowed.
However we were kept waiting outside the gate and inIormed to go to the meeting
hall at the new M.L.A. quarters only in the evening, where there would be a meeting
oI all the representatives. Later, they took out a mammoth procession to the
Ramakrishna Cine Studios.
6
Rama Rao had a special, exclusive and a separate living
room on the upstairs oI the dubbing theatre at Ramakrishna
Cine Studios. By the time we reached there, my mother-in-
law, Mrs. Basava Rama Tarakam was present along with some prominent members
Irom whom I could remember were Mr. B.V. Mohana Reddy |later he became a
minister in Mr. Rama Rao`s Cabinet|, Mr. Nandamuri Prasad |who was a personal
assistant to Mr. Rama Rao| and a Iew helpers.
When Mr. Rama Rao got ready, we all had dinner brought by my mother-
in-law. AIter that Mr. Rama Rao took a seat and I remember, he asked 10 persons,
who were around him to suggest a good name Ior the party. With zeal and enthusiasm
we were suggesting a name or the other that struck in our mind like Telugu Jelugu,
Telugu Prafa Samiti and so on. We wrote these on a piece oI paper also.
Mr. Rama Rao had a casual look into it but simply appeared to be not impressed in
any oI the names we spelt. Mr. Mohana Reddy was continuously talking on various
topics oI interest, which Mr. Rama Rao heard Ior hearing sake.
At around 4 pm, we proceeded to the new M.L.A quarters, where the
meeting hall was on the Iirst Iloor. Mr. Bhaskara Rao inIormed us about the limited
attendance oI the people to the venue. But the heavy turnout oI people, who Iorcibly
~./

Bis sbort speecb ioc/uded bis grotitude to

tbe 1e/ugu peop/e, wbo mode bim greot, oo
oooouocemeot regordiog o oew porty to be
/ouocbed to ju/ji/ bis respoosibi/ity by serviog
tbe peop/e oj Aodbro Prodesb, bis ioteotioo to
come to tbe rescue oj tbe poor ood bis so/e oim
to protect tbe se/j-respect oj tbe 1e/uguites.

7
pushed the doors oI the meeting hall caused damage. All that unexpected crowd too
could not accommodate in that hall.
No sooner did he realise the situation than he asked us to arrange a mike
system in the lawns outside the meeting hall. Only a small mike-set was available at
our disposal at that time. Mr. Rama Rao emerged out at 4 pm only to see a huge
crowd waiting Ior him at the lawns outside the venue oI the meeting. With great
diIIiculty, we could manage and escort him to the midst oI the crowd.
We arranged a small table and we stood behind him. Mr. Rama Rao
addressed the crowd Ior a brieI duration oI 15 to 20 minutes, while Iooting Iirmly on
that table. His short speech included his gratitude to the Telugu people, who made
him great, an announcement regarding a new party to be launched to IulIil his
responsibility by serving the people oI Andhra Pradesh, his intention to come to the
rescue oI the poor and his sole aim to protect the selI-respect oI the Teluguites.
He also said that he was inspired by great leaders like Kandukuri
Veeresalingam, Gurajada Appa Rao, Potti Sreeramulu and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedhkar.
He was traditionally dressed with white dhoti` and kurta`. He took out a
piece oI paper Irom his pocket and surprisingly announced the name oI the party as
Telugu Desam... to the curiously waiting huge crowd. It was the same piece oI
paper on which we wrote our suggestions. Then only we realised that the name oI
the party was not the one we suggested but the new one, which he jotted down...
Thus a new regional party Telugu Desam was born.
Well beIore taking the decision oI launching the party and entering the public
liIe, Mr. Rama Rao consulted two eminent personalities Dr. Akkineni Nageswara
Rao and Mr. Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy. Dr. Nageswara Rao seemed to have
said that he was not interested in politics, while Mr. Vijayabhaskara Reddy politely
reIused saying that he was quite comIortable with the Congress.
8
was the second successive day by 3 pm.,ever since the
process Ior launching the new party began. Mr. Rama Rao
had his own plans to Iurther the process. He was squatting on
the Iloor Iacing towards the east oI the Ramakrishna Cine Studios at Room No:9.
With him there were around 20 prominent members.
Mr. Bezawada Papireddy, Mr. Turlapati Satyanarayana, Mr. Yalamanchili
Sivaji, Mr. Devineni Rajasekhar |Nehru| oI Vijayawada, Legislators Mr. Nadendla
Bhaskara Rao, Mr. Rathaiah, Mr. Adaiah and Mr. Narayana were among those.
Also present in the group were my Iather Mr. Daggubati Chenchuramaiah, advocate,
Mr. Chalameswara Rao and Mr. M.S. Prasad |none Irom the relatives|. All oI them
were seen eagerly discussing about the next programme.
Everyone oI them was airing his own point oI views. And, quite contrary to
the expectations oI all, the party was christened as Telugu Desam. Some oI the
members Ielt it was good and some not. A majority oI the members expressed that
how Iar the word Desam could be linked to the party.
Then, discussion was about the venue oI the next meeting, which was Iinalized
as Hyderabad. During the entire course oI discussion, Mr. Rama Rao was busily
. ~~ ~. . ~.

wbot o beoutiju/ drowiog, tbougb it

wos burried/y scribb/ed! Mr.komo koo's
versoti/ity spoke vo/umes oj trutb obout
drowiog os bis bobby. Be storted
detoi/iog tbe ospects oj wbot be bod
drowo ood c/orijied tbot wbee/'
represeoted /obour jorce', p/ougb'
symbo/ised ryots' ood but' stood jor
peop/e'.

9
scribbling on a sheet oI paper, while listening to the people beIore him. AIter some
time he threw that paper on us. We were really surprised to look in it, the sketch
drawn with a pencil.
What we saw in that was a red wheel that symbolises industry, just above
it was a plough and below it was a white hut. What a beautiIul drawing, though it
was hurriedly drawn! Mr. Rama Rao`s versatility spoke the volumes oI truth about
drawing as his hobby.
He started detailing the aspects oI what he had drawn and clariIied that
wheel represented labour force, plough symbolised rvots and hut stood
Ior people ... red, green and white were the combination oI colours. Then he asked
as to what should be the colour oI the party Ilag. Everybody as usually started telling
the colour oI his choice.
But Mr. Rama Rao Iinally remarked that vellow could be auspicious. All
were tight-lipped in unanimity oI his proposition. Later, the next public meeting was
decided to be convened on April 11, 1982, which meant exactly 12 days aIter the
launch oI the party. It was the opinion oI some
people that the time leIt was not enough. But
Mr. Rama Rao vetoed it.
Right Irom the third day onwards the
preparations commenced. He summoned the
persons and ordered to make a limited
number oI posters. I still remember the way
how the Telugu Desam Party badges were
made. It was usual Ior anybody to prepare
paper badges and put on to shirt. But
Mr. Rama Rao meticulously planned Ior
durable badges to be made Irom the sheet oI
metal. It was the same badge on which
Telugu Desam Partv Ilag and Mr. Rama
Rao`s portrait were embossed.
10
NITIALLY a wall poster carrying the message that first
public meeting on April 11 in Hvaerabaa was ordered to
be printed at National Litho Printers through Mr. Bhaskara
Rao oI Vijaya Pictures. Subsequently, a notiIication was released at the press meet
announcing that there would be a public meeting at the Nizam College Grounds on
April 11, prior to which a grand rally would start Irom the Ramakrishna Cine Studios
, where people in large numbers were expected to participate.
He named that meeting as Mahanaau. Along with some oI my Iriends, I
applied Ior the permission Irom the authorities concerned Ior the conduct oI the
Mahanaau. Mr. Rama Rao himselI planned the arrangements on the dais and the
,, .~, ~.~ ~ ..~

Mr. komo koo bimse/j p/oooed tbe orroogemeots oo tbe dois

ood tbe ort deportmeot oj tbe studio promioeot/y projected tbe
porty symbo/... wbee/ , p/ougb ood but' oo tbe dois.
Mr. Cbo/omesworo koo ood I o/oog witb jrieods supervised tbe
orroogemeots ot tbe Rizom Co//ege 6rouods, wbicb wos tbe veoue
jor tbe Mobooodu'. A doy bejore tbe meetiog, it roioed cots ood
dogs jo//owed by gbost/y wiods, owiog to wbicb tbe erected
sbomiooos' je// dowo resu/tiog io re-erectioo works.

11
art department oI the studio prominently projected the party symbol...wheel, plough
ana hut on the dais.
Mr. Chalameswara Rao and I along with Iriends supervised the arrangements
at the Nizam College Grounds, which was the venue Ior the Mahanaau. A day
beIore the meeting, it rained cats and dogs Iollowed by ghastly winds, owing to
which the erected shamianas Iell down resulting in re-erection works. We had to
put up posts Ior Iixing the mikes.
April 11 arrived as expected. Mr. Rama Rao Iollowed by Mr. Bhaskara
Rao, Mr. Bezawada Papireddy and other important members embarked on the newly
bought open-top Mahindra Jeep by 3 pm at the Ramakrishna Cine Studios. They
asked me also to participate |not as a leader|. The huge procession started. Sea oI
crowds Iilled with anxiety ran behind the jeep. It took Iour hours and reached the
Nizam College Grounds at 7 pm.
Throughout the procession, a large groups oI people were seen at rooItops
oI houses, climbing the walls and trees. Irrespective oI the age-groups, youth, elders
and womenIolk turned out in large numbers. There was neither transport Iacility nor
supply oI even a drop oI water to the participants, who exceeded tens oI thousands.
But still the meeting was turned out to be a grand success.
Just with the release oI 5,000 wall posters and a press notiIication all those
could be achieved. At the end oI the meeting, it was announced that some important
members, who represented various districts oI the state could meet Mr. Rama Rao
on April 12 at the Ramakrishna Cine Studios.
12
per the schedule on April 12, Mr. Chalameswara Rao,
Mr. Bhaskara Rao, Mr. M.S. Prasad and I were waiting in
Room No. 9 along with others at Ramakrishna Cine Studios.
I was having a notebook and pen and we had put up a shamiana Ior the visitors,
who were requested to go to Room No. 9 district-wise. We also noted down the
names oI those who came to meet Mr. Rama Rao.
The whole process involved three days. I t hink that it was
Mr.Sreemannarayana, 65-year old Iormer principal oI Ponnur Degree College spotted
among the visitors on the third day.
He wore the badge designed by NTR. We were surprised to hear an
interesting news Irom Mr. Sreemannarayana that he was highly respected, wherever
he went and in what so ever the modes oI transports he travelled wearing that badge
in and around the city.
;.. ... ....

Be wore tbe bodge desigoed by R1k. we were surprised to beor

oo ioterestiog oews jrom Mr. 5reemooooroyooo, 65-yeor o/d jormer
priocipo/ oj Pooour 0egree Co//ege tbot be wos bigb/y respected
wberever be weot ood io wbot so ever tbe modes oj troosports be
trove//ed weoriog tbot bodge.

13
He added that he was oIIered seat in buses, while travelling and given
preIerence, while serving IoodstuIIs in hotels and restaurants.
All his expressions conveyed a simple message that the metal badge brought
honour to whoever wore it. Such badges were issued only in 1982 on the occasion
oI April 11 Mahanaau.
ThereaIter we never prepared that kind oI badges. Many oI the members
careIully presevered those given to them. Now, it`s an assumption that iI whoever is
has that badge had attended the inaugural meeting oI the Telugu Desam Partv.
14
EXT day, Mr. Rama Rao received a message Irom leaders oI
the Opposition parties... the Janata and the Lok Dal, who
proposed a joint discussion. Mr. Rama Rao agreed Ior it. But
ego oI those leaders prevented them Irom going to the studio oI NTR |it`s their gross
underestimation about him|. Sensing that Mr. Rama Rao sent in a word to them
oIIering to meet wherever they wanted.
Mr.Adusumilli Panduranga Rao`s |an advocate| house at Basheerbagh was
the venue oI their choice. They also asked Mr. Rama Rao to be present there too
secretly without IanIare. Mr. Rama Rao who held prolonged discussions with his
visitors Irom various districts had his supper at 9 pm. AIter that he was about to leave
with a shawl on his shoulder, when I told him to stay back Ior a while.
I remember very well, when he walked up to the door-point to leave Room
No: 9, he gently closed the door, returned and asked me as to what I wanted to tell
him. My personal Ieeling was he should not have tie-up with any party and I conveyed
the same Ieelings:
'Thev want to fointlv contest the elections for which, thev are in aire
neea of seat aafustments. The mammoth gathering at the venue of Mahanaau
on April 11 certainlv woula have brought fear among them about their vote-
bank`.
~~ ~ / ~ ~.. .,

1bey osked Mr. komo koo to be preseot tbere

too secret/y witbout joojore. Mr. komo koo wbo be/d
pro/ooged discussioos witb bis visitors jrom vorious
districts bod bis supper ot 9 pm. Ajter tbot be wos
obout to /eove witb o sbow/ oo bis sbou/der, wbeo I
to/d bim to stoy bock jor o wbi/e.

15
I also told him that iI we could contest elections without any tie-ups, deIinitely
the Telugu Desam Partv would win with a thumping majority.
AIter the rally on April 11, I Ielt that the admiration oI the people oI Andhra
Pradesh was not just with cine glamour alone oI NTR but they had strong Iaith in him.
I emphasised Iurther : ' If vou think on the lines of tie-ups with other parties,
people, who are alreaav got vexea with such arrangements, will lose faith ana
hence, lets not mina it` .
However, without paying any heed to my words, Mr. Rama Rao attended
that secret meeting, in which those leaders expressed their greed to contest the
elections Ior 150 seats Ior which Mr. Rama Rao was not prepared.
As there was no media publicity, neither the agenda oI the meeting nor the
discussions held among them did not come out. Mr. Gouthu Latchanna attended the
meeting.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
16
FTER the conclusion oI the enrollment process oI members,
which continued Ior Iour days, the discussions were on how,
when and where the next public meeting should be held. And it
was resolved to hold it at the pilgrimage town oI Tirupati on May 28, which happened
to be the birthday oI Mr. Rama Rao. That public meeting was also named as
Mahanaau. Since then the name became most popular and permanent.
As there was a gap oI 47days between those two meetings, unsolicited
comments and unhealthy gossips were doing rounds in the Congress circle such as
crowa-pulling meetings were possible onlv because of the cine glamour of NTR
ana the same impact of vast crowa attenaing his meetings woula never happen
in future. Meanwhile, Mr. Rama Rao`s inadvertent comments against Tanguturi
Prakasam Pantulu adversely aIIected the party. Similarly, many more hot issues
were under discussions. Only Eenaau`, a leading and popular vernacular daily stood
pro-TDP and was writing Iavourably. It became customary on my part to reach the
Ramakrishna Cine Studios around 5 am everyday and read out to him the news
items published in the columns oI Eenaau`. In the light oI that new phenomenon, the
disappointment caused in NTR on account oI the publication oI anti-party or
unIavourable news items in other dailies abruptly vanished. I never had any intention
to get myselI associated with the politics. In Iact, I intended to go back to Chennai
~. .~~ ., ... .~

1be purpose oj my goiog to Byderobod wos

ootbiog but to get some busioess storted or oo
iodustry estob/isbed tbere ot tbot time. I wos
exp/oriog tbe possibi/ities oo tbot. I wos residiog
io Cbeoooi. Lxceptiog tbese, I bod oo boods-oo
experieoce io orgooisiog porty meetiogs mucb
/ess I did oot eveo koow bow to work witb
po/itico/ porties ood get myse/j mou/ded.

17
aIter the meeting oI April 11. But, it was quite unIortunate that there was hardly
anybody, who came Iorward to shoulder the responsibilities Ior the second public
meeting planned to be held on May 28. Only because oI that reason, I had decided
to stay back and wanted to make an exit as soon as that meeting was over.
The purpose oI my going to Hyderabad was nothing but to get some business
started or an industry established there at that time. I was exploring the possibilities
on that. I was residing in Chennai. Excepting these, I had no hands-on experience in
organising party meetings much less I did not even know how to work with political
parties and get myselI moulded.
Mr. Rama Rao was receiving a remuneration between Rs.10 lakh to15
lakh a Iilm and was acting in 10 Iilms at that time. When he decided to lose that huge
sum and enter politics with a view to serving the people oI Andhra Pradesh, there
was none in our Iamily circle to come Iorward and share his responsibilities Ior the
welIare oI the people. That situation made me responsibility-bound. I also thought iI
someone came Iorward to do the same, I wanted to withdraw myselI and settle in
trade.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
18
FTER a Iortnight oI the Iirst Mahanaau, which was held at
Nizam College Grounds, I leIt Ior the house oI Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu. He was the Minister Ior Cinematography in the Congress
Government. The minister was very busy in the evening at 6 at his residence at Road
No:4, Banjara Hills. I was made to wait in his oIIice chamber. Mr. Chandrababu
arrived in 10 minutes.
I started narrating my views: 'The first public meeting of the Telugu
Desam Partv was a grana success. As the partv has a bright future, vou will
capture power aefinitelv. We ao not have anv political experience. At this functure
outsourcing the experiencea ana the veterans is the neea of the hour of Mr.
Rama Rao. It has been aeciaea to organi:e the next public meeting in Tirupati
hopefullv on Mav 28. Since this is in Chittoor aistrict, if vou come ana take the
reigns of the partv, there will be a glorious future. As he was listening to me
careIully, I went on: 'It mav appear as if vou are making a sacrifice, but still vou

Accordiog to my estimote Mr. komo koo wi// oever get more

tboo 5% oj tbe Assemb/y seots.
Moreover, be wi// oever toke
out eveo o peooy jrom bis
pocket ood speod. 1o wbot
exteot bis cioe g/omour wi//
jetcb votes...? Be wi// oot wio
ot ooy cost...I om quite
comjortob/e os o mioister io
tbe Coogress 6overomeot...
Bow do you tbiok tbot I wi// jorego my stotus ood be witb you?

19
will have a rewara of aa::ling future. Moreover, I ao not have anv interest in
politics, please come forwara ana organise the Tirupati conclave`.
When I concluded my views, Mr. Chandrababu spoke out showing some
calculations he did on a piece oI paper |since at that time itselI he had the habit oI
calculating things and assessing selI beneIits that accrue out oI his calculations|. '
According to my estimate Mr. Rama Rao will never get more than 5 oI the votes.
Moreover, he will never take out even a penny Irom his pocket and spend
. To what extent his cine glamour will Ietch votes...? He will not win at any cost.. I am
quite comIortable as a minister in the Congress Government... How do you think that
I will Iorego my status and be with you? I was totally upset over his ridiculous`
remarks but I couldn`t help... Later, I returned with utter disappointment.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
20
became part oI my routines to meet the people, who thronged
the oIIice. Meanwhile, the producer, Mr. Deviprasad, who
came to seek call-sheets Irom NTR Ior Naa aesam got it
successIully. On the other hand NTR announced his own Iilm Chanaasaasanuau
under the banner oI the Ramakrishna Cine Studios. He was very particular about
lyrics too Ior which he Ielt Dr. C. Narayana Reddy could do justice.
Accordingly works related to lyric part oI the Iilm were entrusted with Dr.
Narayana Reddy. Mr. Nadendla Bhaskara Rao and I were talking to the people ,
who came to the oIIice. Mr. Rama Rao had allotted individual rooms to Mr. Bhaskara
Rao, Mr. Adaiah, Mr. Rathaiah and Mr. Narayana besides me. Ambassador cars
and travelling allowance oI Rs. 5,000 a month were also given. Mr. Chalameswara
Rao and I had been very regular to oIIice, interacted with visitors and maintained
communications promptly with those who came Irom various districts.
The date oI the Tirupati meeting was nearing. The other day as per the
instructions oI Mr. Rama Rao, I rang up Mr. Ramoji Rao and when he was on-line,
. ~...

1be otber doy os per tbe iostructioos oj Mr. komo koo, I

roog up Mr. komoji koo. wbeo be wos oo-/ioe, I booded tbe receiver
over to Mr. komo koo. Be
to/ked to bim very courteous/y
ood Mr. komoji koo seemed to
bove iovited bim to bis bouse.
5borp/y ot 8 pm ojter
comp/etiog o// works io tbe
ojjice, Mr. komo koo /ejt jor
8egumpet, wbere Mr. komoji
koo resided. As per bis wisb, I too occompooied bim.

21
I handed the receiver over to Mr. Rama Rao. He talked to him very courteously and
Mr. Ramoji Rao seemed to have invited him to his house.
Sharply at 9 pm aIter completing all works in the oIIice, Mr. Rama Rao leIt
Ior Begumpet, where Mr. Ramoji Rao resided. As per his wish, I too accompanied
him. Mr. Ramoji Rao came out, received Mr. Rama Rao and took him inside the
house, while I was leIt out.
I came to know that there were discussions between them in a cordial
atmosphere. Later, a spicy dinner was hosted in honour oI Mr. Rama Rao with 20
varieties oI Iood stuII oI which Mr. Rama Rao could consume only a little Ior
curtesy-sake and returned. That kind oI a dinner diplomacy meeting was held very
secretly even without the awareness oI the Press.
What had happened later that everyone knew... Eenaau stood behind NTR
in all odds and evens and began blowing pro-TDP trumpets. Though nobody knew
what transpired between the two heads, Mr. Ramoji Rao openly said that he had
been nurturing an idea to launch a regional party since long... As Mr. Rama Rao had
done it, Mr. Ramoji Rao Ielt hardly any need Ior it again.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
22
HEN Mr. Chandrababu Naidu sulked to organise the Tirupati
conclave, we were literally worried. First oI all what we needed
at that time was huge Iunds to organise the meeting and
involvement oI local persons there at the venue to oversee the works being executed.
My Iather, Mr. Chenchuramaiah consulted Mr. Veeraraghavulu Naidu, who was known
to him. He was the Chairman oI Rayalaseema Regional Development Board and
was in the Congress.
With an inIormal initiative oI my Iather, Mr. Veeraraghavulu Naidu tendered
resignation to the party and met Mr. Rama Rao. He was a resident oI Chittoor. Along
with Mr. Veeraraghavulu Naidu I leIt Ior Tirupati and stayed in Bhima`s lodge Ior a
week. Together we started preparations Ior the public meeting... We identiIied a
location in open Iields near Tirupati, applied Ior permission Ior the conduct oI the
meeting, erected dais that could accommodate 10 persons, took care oI the
requirement oI mike system.
On May 28, we selected a harijanwada in a small hamlet oI Chandragiri
constituency, where a mass Ieeding programme was arranged, in which Mr. Rama
Rao participated and hired a hall Irom the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams |TTD| Ior
the participants to have a meeting in the aIternoon. |Later, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
levelled an allegation aginst Mr. Veeraraghavulu Naidu that he misappropriated Iunds
. ...~.~~ ~. .

Ij ooy persoo wbo wisbes to joio us /eoviog bis ojji/ioted porty

sbou/d oot bo/d ooy porty post ot tbe time oj joioiog tbe 10P.
1bis priocip/e opp/ies to /egis/otors ood por/iomeotorioos oj otber
porties, wbo ioteod to joio tbe 10P. 1bey sbou/d iovoriob/y teoder
resigootioo to tbeir e/ected seots to tbe Assemb/y / Por/iomeot
os tbe cose moy be.

23
coll ected thr ough the party
membership. Having been hurt over
it, he tendered resignation and leIt the
party. As Mr. Veeraraghavulu Naidu
expired during the elections to
Parliament in 1985, I encouraged the
candidature oI his wiIe, Mrs. Jhansi
Lakshmi Ior Chittoor Lok Sabha
constituency. She successIully
contested that elections|.
Duri ng those routines,
Mr. Chalameswara Rao used to keep
me inIormed oI what was happening
in Hyderabad. And, three days beIore
commencement oI the meeting he
Ilashed me a news over
phone...DuringTirupati meeting,
discussions would Iollow to derive at
a Iew political resolutions with some
proposals... Primarily it was about the entry oI a VIP kind oI a person into the TDP...
he elaborated: 'II any person, who wishes to join us leaving his aIIiliated party should
not hold any party post at the time oI joining the TDP.
This principle applies to legislators and parliamentarians oI other parties,
who intend to join the TDP. They should invariably tender resignation to their elected
seats to the Assembly/ Parliament as the case may be. II that was not done, they
would not be admitted to the party. Mr. Nadendla Bhaskara Rao who came with
three legislators, was quite against that proposal.
When my opinion was sought, I immediately reacted and said that this kind
oI a resolution was necessary Ior the party and the move would create a good
impression about the party among people. I wholeheartedly welcomed that resolution
at the Tirupati meeting itselI.
24
HE long awaited day... May 28 came. A customary meeting
was held in the aIternoon at the Tirumala Tirupati
Devastanams |TTD| hall and the political resolution was
passed. Accordingly all MLAs should resign. As per the schedule, a big rally was
taken out in the evening, which culminated into a public meeting. Because oI the rain
during the night beIore, we thought that people might not come. But quite contrary to
our expectations and that oI the critics oI our party, a sea oI crowd congregated at
the venue oI the meeting much to the embarrassment oI those who had said, Cine
glamour coula not pull crowas anvmore. There was a big gap oI 47 days between
the meetings, but still it turnout to be a grand success once again.
Meanwhile, some unpleasant situations too occurred... Though the
legislators, Mr. Adaiah, Mr. Rathaiah and Mr. Narayana attended the meeting in the
aIternoon, reIused to participate in the public meeting. Virtually boycotting the public
meeting in the evening, they conIined to their rooms. ThereaIter it came to our notice
that their antecedents were not good and the inIormation what we secured about
them made us upset. Even then they projected themselves as the secretaries oI the
party Ior the regions... Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema. We also came to know
that while touring in those areas, they involved in immoral and anti-party activities.
We arrived in Hyderabad during the Iirst week oI June and deeply involved
in our day-to-day activities oI the party in the Ramakrishna Cine Studios. Mr. Turlapati
Satyanarayana was the OIIice Secretary. That morning he brought to my notice a
~~.~~ .~, ., ~~

Mr. Rodeod/o soid: I brougbt tbem o/oog witb

me to tbe porty, wbicb wou/d sujjer oow...! wby
ore you doiog o// tbese? My rep/y wos: As per tbe
1irupoti reso/utioo, your meo bove dejied tbe
porty's iostructioos to quit tbeir MLA seots.

25
typed sheet oI paper carrying the itinerary oI Mr. Adaiah, Mr. Rathaiah and
Mr. Narayana as the party secretaries as usual. In a Iit oI emotion and anger I tore
that programme sheet into pieces, got their rooms locked and withdrawn the cars
given to them Ior oIIicial use. One solid hour had passed aIter that incident, when
Mr. Bhaskara Rao came to my room and said: ' I brought them along with me to
the partv, which woula suffer now ana whv are vou aoing all these? My reply
was: As per the Tirupati resolution vour men have aefiea the partvs instructions
to quit their MLA seats.` When heard Irom me the reason, Mr. Bhaskara Rao Ielt
that there was no use in talking to me, rushed straight to Mr. Rama Rao and lodged
complaint against me.
Next day Mr. Rama Rao sent in a word Ior me to meet him. Mr. Bhaskara
Rao was also sitting beside him. I was made to sit beIore them and they started
saying: 'What have vou aone is not gooa ana it seems to be chilaish.
Mr.Bhaskara Rao went ahead a step and said in support oI Mr. Adaiah and
Mr. Narayana that they belonged to the weaker sections and they were like liIe-
saving ear-hangings oI mvthological Karna to the party. He Iurther said that iI I
continued doing like that, the image oI the party would be tarnished. His nonstop
lecture inIuriated me much , resulting in my outburst. I had thrown the papers I was
holding, beIore them and Iirmly asked what activities were they doing and clearly
emphasised that Mr. Rama Rao need not Iorego crores oI his income and start a
party with some principles Ior such people... Ior those type oI persons there were a
lot more parties in the country. With that conclusive remark, I drove to my house in
my own car parked at the oIIice premises. As soon as I reached, there was a phone
call and the gist oI the telecon was that Mr. Rama Rao expelled those three legislators
and issued a press release to that eIIect also and I was also asked to return to the
party oIIice.
Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju narrated that episode to me in detail 8 months
aIter the launch oI the party. At that time, he was an MLA oI the Lok Dal and he
never thought seriously about his joining the TDP. Only when Mr. Rama Rao expelled
those three MLAs, who were branded as the anti-party activities, he Iormed good
opinion, developed healthy relations and decided to join the party, because people
oI the state also reposed conIidence in NTR and the party he had launched. ThereaIter
Mr. Adaiah, Mr. Rathaiah and Mr. Narayana were not to be seen at all and to my
surprise till writing the episodes oI this book. Later, the activities oI the party became
as usual and Mr. Bhaskara Rao also kept calm Ior the reasons best known to him.
26
IRUPATI Mahanaau was unassumably a grand success. As
I had thought earlier, I wanted to get myselI relieved Irom all
responsibilities, go to Chennai and look aIter my personal
works. In view oI that decision, once again I met Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and
prevailed upon him, the importance oI his role Ior the development oI the party. I
also brought to his attention the overwhelming support oI the people extended to the
party at the Tirupati conclave.
Time Ileeted. It was 7 pm, when a personal assistant to Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu brought a copy oI the evening edition oI Anahra Patrika and gently put it
on the table. The headlines oI the news item prominently attracted my sight. I do
remember it even today. ' He is reaav to contest against father-in-law from anv
constituencv. Telugu Desam is a partv of wave ana has no future`. What could
I talk then? I abruptly withheld my conversation and respectably returned home.
Ever since my role in the party was to Iirst meet visitors, who were coming Irom
various districts beIore being allowed to meet Mr. Rama Rao. It was in that continuous
process Mr. Ananda Gajapathi Raju, Mr. Muddukrishnama Naidu, Mr. Jana Reddy

I oever koew tbot Mr. komo koo wos

observiog me ood be seemed to bove
uoderstood my jee/iogs... Be obrupt/y
stopped tbe sbootiog, co//ed me to bis side
ood osked o sti//-pbotogropber to c/ick. It
wos o very greot experieoce to me to see
Mr.komo koo io ricb costumes oj 0uryodooo',
wbom I tbougbt wos uoporo//e/ed to ooyooe.
1be pbotogropb tokeo witb bim ot tbot
/ocotioo , promioeot/y decorotes my ojjice
wo//, eveo todoy.

27
and Mr. K.Chandrasekhara Rao |now the President oI TRS| joined the TDP one
aIter another.
Mr.Muddukrishnama Naidu |a lecturer in Pedanandipadu college|, Mr. Jana
Reddy and Mr. Satyanarayana |adviser to Mr. Jana Reddy and a member oI the
Public Service Commission| came with Mr. Turlapati Satyanarayana.
Mr. Chandrasekhara Rao told us that he was a resident oI Medak district and the
leader oI the Youth Congress. He also expressed that he was not in good terms with
Mr. Madanmohan, a Congress MLA, who was consecutively elected to the Assembly
Ior seven times and was the leader oI the Opposition once.
I was instrumental in arranging a meeting between Mr. Chandrasekhara
Rao and Mr. Rama Rao, when Siddipet was allotted to him in 1983 Assembly elections
and was deIeated by Mr. Madanmohan. Mr. Devineni Rajasekhar |Nehru| oI the
Krishna district had also met me at that time, when Mr. Rama Rao was busy acting in
Naa aesam and Iilming Chanaasaasanuau.
He earmarked more time Ior the shooting schedules. I had to talk to VIPs
and used to take them to the location oI shooting and arranged a meeting with NTR
during the break between the shots... On that particular occasion, it was so happened
that NTR was shooting Ior Chanaasaasanuau in the role oI Durvoaana whom
we usually came across only in mythological stories and Iilms.
And there at the location, it was a scene being shot Ior a college drama, in
which NTR`s role was Durvoaana...In that costume and makeup, NTR looked
magnanimous and along with others, I totally Iorgot my work Ior which I had gone
28
there and set my eyes on him in tight-lipped curiosity. I became so spellbound that I
Iorgot to introduce those persons, who accompanied me to meet Mr. Rama Rao.
I never knew that Mr. Rama Rao was observing me and he seemed to have
understood my Ieelings... He abruptly stopped the shooting, called me to his side and
asked a still-photographer to click. It was a very great experience to me to see
Mr. Rama Rao in rich costumes oI Durvoaana, whom I thought was unparalleled
to anyone. Even today...the photograph taken at that location, prominently decorates
my oIIice wall.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
29
ET me keep aside the party matters Ior a while, tell you
about my attachment with Mr. Rama Rao beIore my marriage.
AIter getting the relationship established with Mr. Rama Rao
in 1969, I was Irequenting to Chennai or Hyderabad during holidays.
The second son oI Mr. Rama Rao... |Mr. Saikrishna, later he was in coma
and died| and I were close Iriends. Sometime in 1978, the Ramakrishna Cine Studios
was inaugurated by the then ChieI Minister oI Tamil Nadu, Mr. M.G. Ramachandran.
I remember very well that the Iirst Iilm produced there was Dana veera sura Karna.
Dr. C. Narayana Reddy`s lyric Ior a duet song... Chitram bhalaare vichitram
was Iilmed on Duryodana and Bhanumati at the inaugural shot.
In those days, Kurukshetram and Dana veera sura Karna were
considered to be competitive productions in the tinsel world. The date set Ior the
inaugural release oI those two Iilms was the same.
Besides acting in multiple roles as Krishna, Duryodana and Karna,
Mr. Rama Rao undertook the job oI direction also. His dedication, determination
and hard work, he had put in were the enough examples to understand his talent and
expertise in the area.
He was shooting Ior 24 hours a day continuously Ior 18 days at a stretch.
With no scope Ior relaxed-sitting, he was standing all the day. Because his rich costumes

wbi/e octiog io mytbo/ogico/ ro/es /ike komo,

krisboo ood veokotesworo... be turoed very pious,
coosumed oo/y vegetorioo jood, worsbipped Lord
veokotesworo every 5oturdoy ood s/ept oo tbe
j/oor, wbicb be did ti// tbe eod.

30
and jewelry made him uncomIortable. The hi-Ii technology was not there at that time.
Hours together were spent to Iilm Krishna, Duryodana and Karna in single Irame.
|The camera: Mr. Kannappa|. While directing, Mr. Rama Rao used to get the dialogues
oI others also memorised besides his own. To make cohesive the continuity oI shots,
the Assistant Directors used to remember the costume and attire oI the characters, as
it was considered to be their job.
But, when Mr. Rama Rao was directing, he was very careIul on those
matters and was lending suggestions accordingly. Usually, assistants wrote the shooting
script, but it was Mr. Rama Rao`s habit to do that also. To state that his hand writing
was so good and looked like an arrangement oI pearls and that even those pearls
were put to shame... was a matter oI noteworthy. NTR`s memory power was
unparalleled. He began another Iilm Jirataparvam also in which he acted in not
less than 5 roles besides directing it...which meant, he virtually acted in 8 roles besides
directing two Iilms simultaneously.
For the role oI Bruhannala in Nartanasala, he used to get up by 3 am
to learn Bharatanatvam Ior 6 months. The Kuchipuai exponent, Dr. Vempati
China Satyam taught him the rudiments. When he was playing duel roles such as
Iather and son and to show the diIIerence, he was getting lean, while acting in the role
oI son with the intake oI reduced Iood stuIIs.
When he acted as Duryodana or Ravana, he was consuming excess Iood
to put up extra weight matching the role. His Iood habits were Iunny...! Usually when
we eat rice with chutney`, we take a spoon oI chutney`... but he used to have a
spoon oI rice with two to three spoons oI chutnev.
Some times, without rice, he consumed a bowl Iull oI greens. He liked
aal. His habit was to have Iood at 5 am. My mother-in-law usually got up at 4 to
start cooking, while Mrs. Purandeswari helped her. Similarly, he liked ghee pesarattu
and pancake [kuaumu{. When he went to somebody`s house, he satisIied them
by consuming all dishes served on the table.
Coming to his career in acting, he got into the mood oI the particular role
since morning that had to be shot later in the day. For example... iI it were the role oI
exhibiting anger, everybody in the house was tense-ridden with Iear... because, he
became angry with whoever he came across right Irom the morning itselI... In contrast,
iI he were to act in a comic role, he made everyone laugh.
31
When it was the question oI a stunt-scene, the villain there |Kaikala
Satyanarayana| had to Ioment his body in the night. While acting in mythological
roles like Rama, Krishna and Venkateswara... he turned very pious, consumed only
vegetarian Iood, worshipped Lord Venkateswara every Saturday and slept on the
Iloor, which he did till the end.
Once, I had an opportunity to accompany Mr. Rama Rao, when he toured
the state Ior collecting Iunds in aid oI Ilood victims. When Mr. Rama Rao and
Mr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao toured Khammam and Warangal, I was with them. At
that time, I saw them in khaki attire, sitting atop either sides oI the bayonet oI car,
holding long bags and collecting Iunds.
They organised cultural programmes in the night. Mr. D.V.S. Raju,
Mr. Trivikrama Rao and Mr. Pundarikakshaiah were with them managing things.
Other cine-artistes, who accompanied them were getting into the crowds seeking
donations. The Iilm in which both Mr. Rama Rao and Mr. Nageswara Rao acted
together was Satvam-Shivam... my association with the unit oI that Iilm as producer,
was an unIorgettable experience.
32
ET`s come back to our main topic again...It was decided to
hold public meetings in all districts Irom July 16 onwards. We
listed out all district-wise prominent persons. We identiIied 5
to 10 among them Ior a district and constituted panels accordingly. To begin with, we
prepared a route chart starting Irom Telangana area.
We allotted a day Ior each district earmarking the aIternoon slot Ior the
meeting oI the party activists and the evening Ior taking out procession and conducting
public meeting. Accordingly, district meetings were held on July 16 in Nizamabad,
July 17 in Adilabad |Mancherial|, July 18 in Medak and in Karimnagar and so on.
Mr. Mahipal Reddy, Armoor samiti president joined the party and conducted
the maiden meeting in Nizamabad |later, he became the minister Ior Iorest|. We
started at 10 am, reached Nizamabad by 1pm and participated in the aIternoon
meeting. The procession taken out in the evening, took Iairly three hours to reach the
venue oI the public meeting. We usually hired a hall Ior the aIternoon meetings, which
could not accommodate overcrowded participants. Because oI that common
phenomenon doors and windows oI the meeting halls were unpredictably shattered.
Later, we switched over to erection oI shamianas. Even those got collapsed. The
Nizamabad meeting became very signiIicant and that day remained a benchmark Ior
speciality... All participants wore green shawls. Mr. Mahipal Reddy was the organiser
~.~~~ .., .. ,..~.

we usuo//y bired o bo// jor tbe ojteroooo

meetiogs, wbicb cou/ d oot occommodote
overcrowded porticipoots. 8ecouse oj tbot
commoo pbeoomeooo, doors ood wiodows oj
tbe meetiog bo//s were uopredictob/y sbottered.
Loter, we switcbed over to erectioo oj
sbomiooos'. Lveo tbose got co//opsed.

33
oI the Rvot Samakhva, who also wore green shawl marking the day traditionally
special. Ever since Mr. Mahipal Reddy appeared with green shawl till he breathed
his last. While arranging such district meetings, Mr. Chalameswara Rao and I reached
the place a day in advance to personally oversee important arrangements like dais,
mike-system etc. We were very particular about the procession route also which
should not exceed the duration oI 2 hours. A committee oI 4 to 5 members was set
up to supervise the meeting arrangements. Once the meeting started, we moved to
search Ior the next venue in advance to ensure such arrangements.
When the meeting was held in Nizamabad, Mr. Vyas was the Superintendent
oI Police. He was assassinated later. When he was alive, I got acquainted myselI
with him. He became a good Iriend oI mine, till he passed away. Mr. Yadagiri, the
then MLC and a resident oI Mancherial participated in the meeting oI Adilabad as
the committee member... Mr. Karanam Ramachandra Rao |later he was the minister
Ior Panchayati Raj Ior a long time| was on the panel Ior the meeting to be held in
Medak district.
Everything went on very smooth, successIully and as per our schedule.
AIter the conclusion oI that meeting we were returning, when Mr. Amarnath Menon
oI Inaia Toaav was with me. He was taking photographs oI poor people, who
were dwelling inside the big cement pipes laid at margin oI the road. Those pipes
were meant Ior supply oI Manfeera water... Those unusual and human interest
photographs were prominently Ieatured in Inaia Toaavs subsequent issue.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
34
HEN we were back in Hyderabad, we realised that the
open-top Mahindra jeep was most inconvenient during the
rallies. The vehicle skidded to one side during stampedes. As
it happened to be open-top, people easily barged in. So, we Ielt the need oI an
alternative vehicle in its place. Suddenly, something struck to the mind oI Mr. Rama
Rao, who got down Irom his room at the Second Floor oI the Ramakrishna Cine
Studios and led us to the shed, which was used as a lumbar room.
There, he ordered to pull out an old 1950 model Chevrolet van Irom middle
oI the junk and scrap. When the Gemini Studios was closed, Mr. Rama Rao purchased
old articles and that van was one oI those. He asked some oI the workers to clean
the accumulated dust on it and get it water-serviced. With great diIIiculty, the doors
oI the van were pulled and opened. Then he called us and wanted to know whether
it could be enough. Without knowing what to say we looked at each other.
Mr. Rama Rao asked us to dial-up Mr. Allen, a mechanic in Chennai, who
repaired all his cars. He ordered to get new tires Ior it, and its engine repaired.
Additionally he wanted alluminium panelling to be arranged inside and a special sleeper
. ~.~.~ . .....

Be ordered to get oew tires jor it ood its eogioe

repoired. Additiooo// y be wooted o/ /umioium
pooe//iog to be orrooged ioside ood o specio/ s/eeper
io-bui/t witb oo extro seot. Ioci/ities /ike oo opeoiog
jrom driver's cobio to to/k to tbe occupoots ioside,
oootber ot tbe top witb o /odder to c/imb up ood
c/ose it witb o door, o mike-set to oddress o /orge
crowd ood oo operotive j/ood/igbts jor visibi/ity
duriog oigbts were meticu/ous/y mode.

35
in-built with an extra seat. Facilities like an opening Irom driver`s cabin to talk to the
occupants inside, another at the top with a ladder to climb up and close it with a
door, a mike-set to address a large crowd and an operative Iloodlight Ior visibility
during nights were meticulously made. The mechanic took a couple oI months time to
complete all those works.
The next course oI district meetings started Irom Srikakulam and each day,
a district was covered. AIter the meeting in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and
Visakhapatnam were covered. Mr. Kala Venkatrao attended the meeting in Srikakulam
district. Mr. Ananda Gajapathi Raju and Mr. Gadde Baburao in Vizianagaram, while
Mr. Pathrudu and some NTR Ians participated at the meetings in Visakhapatnam
district.
With that phase oI programme we returned to Hyderabad. Subsequently ,
East Godavari via Khammam, West Godavari, Kurnool, Cuddapah, Anantapur,
Prakasam and Guntur districts were covered. Mr. Rambhupal Chowdary and
Mr. B.V. Mohan Reddy attended the meetings in Kurnool district. Similarly,
Mr. Ramanna Chowdary participated in Anantapur, Mr. Siva Reddy in Cuddapah,
Mr.Devineni Rajasekhar |Nehru| in Krishna, Mr. Katuru Narayana Swamy,
Mr. Irigineni Tirupati Naidu in Prakasam, Mr. Nallapureddy Srinivasulu Reddy,
Mr. Bezawada Papireddy in Nellore and Mr. Yalamanchili Sivaji, Mr. Sitaiah and
others in Guntur, present MLA , Mr. Krishnababu and Mr. Garapati Sambasiva Rao
in West Godavari, Mr.Butchaiah Chowdary in East Godavari, Mr.Chandrasekhar
36
and Mr. Mahendranath in Mehaboobnagar and Mr. Jana Reddy in Nalgonda were
responsible Ior the successIul conduct oI the meetings. The scheduled tours oI
Karimnagar and Warangal were also over.
As Iar my knowledge goes and I remember that I had seen the largest
crowd in Guntur. We never gathered people Ior such meetings in any district, but we
procured a lorry Ior Guntur meeting and made Mr. Rama Rao squat on the top,
because the Chaitanva Raaham was not ready till then.
Bobbilipuli directed by Dasari Narayana Rao was released during our
tour oI the district... I could see a vast diIIerence in crowds that attended public
meetings beIore and aIter the release oI the Iilm. At every place, wherever we went,
there was increasingly a massive crowd oI people seen curiously in lakhs.
Much more than the huge turnouts, a large number oI people were seen
running behind and along with the vehicle oI Mr. Rama Rao, raising slogans. Whenever
there were shootings Ior him, he had to be in Hyderabad Ior three to Iour days.
During such occasions, he shuttled between Hyderabad and other places, where
party meetings were held.
During August, Mr. Jayachandra Naidu, who was very well- known in
Chittoor district met us |he is a Congress MLC now|. Had he contested the elections
Ior the Assembly Irom Chittoor district in 1978, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu would not
have been in politics today. The reason Ior giving a brieI account oI Mr. Jayachandra
Naidu here is that he was the president oI Youth Congress and when he was the
general secretary oI the Congress during the tenure oI Mr. Jalagam Vengala Rao,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was appointed the President oI Chandragiri taluk.
At that time, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was very
insigniIicant and not known to anybody at all. Mr.
Jayachandra Naidu, a resident oI Pitchatur in Vepamjerri
constituency, could not become an MLA because it was
reserved Ior SC. He negotiated with Mr. Rama Rao on
behalI oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu Ior his marraige, however,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu secured a ticket to represent
Chandragiri constituency. Also, Mr. Jayachandra Naidu who
mediated Ior Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, was responsible Ior
his becoming the minister and in that process Mr. Subrahmanyam Naidu, an MLA
Irom Srikalahasti, was overlooked. But, six months earlier to the starting oI the
Telugu Desam Partv, they had diIIerences oI opinion and not been in talking terms.
37
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu became the minister and outrightly
reIused to take-up and execute the TDP organisational works,
Mr. Rama Rao invited Mr. Jayachandra Naidu. Because oI
those developments, I had to talk to him. He came to Hyderabad to join the TDP
and stayed at the Hotel Ashoka. Meanwhile, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who had
been in no talking terms with Mr. Jayachandra Naidu Ior the past six months, reached
the hotel in a hurry, stayed there with him till that evening discussed so many things
and successIully prevented him Irom joining the party, when it wrested power...all
became a known tale oI Chittoor district.
It was at that time, we organised political training classes at the Ramakrishna
Cine Studios. We identiIied around 300 individuals, who represented various districts.
They were comIortably put up at the venue itselI so that their classes would go on
smooth. Mr. Veeramachineni Prasada Rao |a Iormer M.P.| ProI. Chekuri Rama Rao
|Irom Osmania University| and Mr. Karnati Ramamohana Rao |a leading advocate
Irom Vijayawada| imparted political training, while Mr. Jasti Chalameswara Rao and
, ~., ., ..

Mr. komo koo bod oo ideo oj gettiog some

soogs writteo exc/usive/y jor tbe porty. Ior music
compositioo recordiog, ooe sbou/d ioevitob/y
proceed to Cbeoooi. Roturo//y, tbose works must
be tokeo up ood executed by some respoosib/e
persoos jrom tbe productioos wiog. 8ut wbeo tbot
exigeocy orose, oeitber bis productioo persoooe/
oor bis re/otives come jorword to do tbot. 5o, I
vo/uoteered myse/j ood moved to Cbeoooi jor tbe
purpose.

38
I took care oI all arrangements. We trained them in batches. One oI the sets on the
Iloor oI the studio was utilised as the venue oI the meeting. During the training camp,
we served the participants with total dedication. When exigencies demanded, we
served them leaves` Ior meal and removed the same without hesitation as soon as
the session was over.
In August, Mr. Rama Rao had an idea oI getting some songs written
exclusively Ior the party. For music composition and recording, one should inevitably
proceed to Chennai. Naturally, those works must be taken up and executed by some
responsible persons Irom the productions wing. But when that exigency arose, neither
his production personnel nor his relatives came Iorward to do that.
So, I volunteered myselI and moved to Chennai with two Telugu songs
namely Maa Telugu talliki mallepu aanaa and Chevvetti faikottu Telugoaa
Ior music composition. While in Chennai, I approached Mr. Kosaraju Raghavaiah
Chowdary, lyricist with whose help two songs were written. Another set oI two more
songs was selected Irom the lyrics oI some well-wishers, who sent those on their
own to the oIIice. When we requested Mr. Chakravarthy, a renowned music director,
he came Iorward to compose tunes out oI his reverence Ior Mr. Rama Rao. He
modiIied the tune oI the song Maa Telugu talliki... with mangala harati... and
made his team sing. The same song echoed everywhere and reached the millions. All
oI us know how much he inspired the people oI Andhra Pradesh, whenever Mr.
Rama Rao took up vatra atopChaitanva Raaham. Later, he was the music
director to my Iilm Satvam Shivam, which I produce.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
39
FTER the public meeting oI Mr. Rama Rao at Chirala
sometime in September... he made a night-halt in my house
at Karamchedu village, which was 7 km away. The very next
morning, breakIast was arranged Ior all visitors. While having it, I observed a casual-
clad` person loitering near the gate. No sooner did I see him than I sent one oI my
aides there to get details about him. And, I came to know that he was Irom New
Delhi, who had been Iollowing the Chaitanya Radham` observing the people`s
response.
It was very interesting to know that he was working in the Railways. I
immediately invited him into my house and requested to have breakIast... It was none
else but Mr. P. Upendra, who later joined the party and played a prominent role. In
October, the nonstop Jaitra vatra started Irom Srikakulam along with Chaitanva
Raaham. In Vizianagaram, Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju quit his Assembly seat and
joined the TDP. prior to his joining, I met him in my relatives house in Chennai. I
inIormed him that his elder brother Mr. Ananda Gajapathi Raju had already joined

Ro soooer did I see bim tboo I seot ooe oj my oides tbere to

get detoi/s obout bim. Aod, I come to koow
tbot be wos jrom Rew 0e/bi, wbo bod beeo
jo//owiog tbe Cboitooyo kodbom' observiog
tbe peop/e' s respoose. It wos very
ioterestiog to koow tbot be wos workiog io
tbe koi/woys. I immediote/y iovited bim ioto
my bouse ood requested to bove breokjost...
It wos oooe e/se but Mr. P. 0peodro, wbo
/ oter joioed tbe porty ood p/oyed o
promioeot ro/e.

40
the party during the very Iirst month oI its launch and added that when we captured
power, he would have a Iair chance to become a minister, which Mr. Ashok Gajapathi
Raju had to accept. It appeared to me that Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju also understood
my point oI view with an open mind.
When the Assembly elections were over in 1983, the same thing happened
what I had explained to Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju... Mr. Ananda Gajapathi Raju
was sworn in as the Iirst Minister Ior Education in the TDP Government. Even beIore
the commencement oI the tour, I was in remorse and Ielt embarrassed on account oI
a sundry incident... I became too emotional and very sensitive in certain situations.
And, one such resembled the same, which prompted us to send Mr. Adaiah, Mr.
Rathaiah and Mr. Narayana out oI the party. During those situations Mr. Rama Rao
kept me out oI importance.
During one such occasion, I had leIt Ior Chennai with annoyance. AIter a
couple oI days... a Doage car stopped in Iront oI my house located in Thyagaraya
Nagar`s Saravana Mudaliar Street at 7 in the morning. Mr. Rama Rao who himselI
drove the car, got down Irom it, came upstairs, consoled me and aIIectionately ordered
me to reach Hyderabad.
What I Ielt at that time was...he had well-understood the Iacts, about me,
my sensitive Ieelings and my nature oI hard work with utmost sincerity and Iaith.
I had no words Ior his generosity and greatness, which made him a long drive to
Chennai just to take me again into his Iold. What else could I say or do? I packed-up
Iast to be in Hyderabad.
41
HEN the tour oI Mr. Rama Rao was uninterruptedly went
on in November, there was an important news that the
notiIication Ior the general elections would be released on
December 1, stating that the elections would be held on January 3 Ior which
nominations could be Iiled till December 11. On hearing it, he cut short his tour
schedule and reached Hyderabad Ior the selection oI the candidates. The list was
; .~. ., ~

Ior tbe jirst time io tbe po/itico/ bistory oj tbe

stote, o regiooo/ porty /ike tbe 10P, wbicb wos oot
eveo o yeor o/d swept tbe po//s registeriog o tbumpiog
victory witb 203 seots, wbi/e tbe Coogress secured
oo/y 60. Mr. komo koo wos sworo io os tbe Cbiej
Mioister io tbe preseoce oj o mommotb gotberiog oj
bis joos, we// wisbers ood porty octivists ot tbe Lo/
8obodur 5todium oo Joouory 9.

42
prepared in his house located at Abids. There were proposals Irom non-Congress
parties... both the Reds wanted 120 seats allotted to them. Mr. Tatineni Prakasa Rao
and Mr. Veeramachineni Prasada Rao |TDP|, Mr. Putchalapalli Sundaraiah and
Mr. Moturu Hanumanth Rao |CPM| and Mr. Giri Prasad and Mr. Y.V. Krishna Rao
|CPI| held negotiations.
As a Iinal move, both the Communist parties asked Ior 90 seats Iirmly saying
that they would not agree even Ior a seat lesser than they demanded. Mr. Rama Rao
conveyed his decision to the Communists through his representatives that iI they
agreed Ior the sharing oI only 80 seats, they could select constituencies and inIorm
him in writing. So that Telugu Desam Partv would contest in rest oI the Assembly
segments. Later, everybody in the state knew what had happened.. The seats they
won in that elections were as meagre as only 4. On the other side Mr. Babul Reddy,
on behalI oI the Janata Party asked Ior 60 seats. When Mr. Rama Rao had made up
his mind to allocate 20 seats, the Lok Dal and the Republican parties intervened to
demand more. At that predicament Mr. Rama Rao tilted Iirmly towards no-tie-up
policy with any party.
As a common Indian citizen with no much grasp on political aIIairs, I Ielt
that people would trust and empower us only when we won`t have truck with any
other party. I expressed it to Mr. Rama Rao |12 days later the party was started| as
soon as the Iirst meeting at the Nizam College Grounds was over. During the Iinal
phase, Mrs. Maneka Gandhi entered the scene oI political development and only 5
seats were allotted to her party... Sanjay Vichar Manch` The list oI the TDP
candidates was Iinalised as quickly as judiciously and Mr. Rama Rao was back in to
carry out the propaganda.
A 15-point maniIesto covering Iood, shelter and cloth as main Ieatures
was prepared and Mr. Rama Rao contested the elections both Irom Tirupati and
Gudivada constituencies.
Educational background was considered as a parameter Ior the selection
oI the candidates...among the selected ones were 20 doctors, 47 advocates, 38
post-graduates and 120 graduates.
The long awaited elections to the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly were
held on January 3, 1983. For the Iirst time in the political history oI the state, a
regional party like the TDP, which was not even a year old swept the polls registering
a thumping victory with 203 seats, while the Congress secured only 60.
43
Mr. Rama Rao was sworn in as the ChieI Minister in the presence oI a
mammoth gathering oI his Ians, well wishers and party activists at the Lal Bahadur
Stadium on January 9. Mr. Harikrishna, third son oI NTR never drove the Chaitanva
Raaham during those 9 months and he kept himselI Iar away Irom that tour and
party activities. The driver oI the Ramakrishna Cine Studios, Mr. Reddy was its
driver.
Only aIter the episode oI Mr. Nadendla Bhaskara Rao in August 1984,
Mr. Harikrishna started steering the Raaham Iorward. During the poll propaganda
oI the Telugu Desam Partv , issues like selI-respect oI the Teluguites, rice Ior Rs.
2 a kg, constitutionally guaranteed Iood, clothing and shelter Ior all and declaring that
Naxalites as patriots... were included in the party`s maniIesto.
Wherever Mr. Rama Rao went, some reporters Irom Eenaau handed
over him the list oI problems oI those areas he visited. In all his meetings Mr. Rama
Rao eloquently spoke highlighting those problems oI the people and thus mingled
with them easily. They knew very well that how he toured even aIter midnight
unmindIul oI shine or rain, taking bath and meal on the road side.
44
HE Telugu Desam Government was Iormed aIter the
elections. Well beIore the starting oI the party, I was having
some personal works to be executed in respect oI business
Ior which, I wanted to be in Hyderabad. I had not contested the election. So...I
wanted to mind my business, which I intended a Iew months ago. On January 20,
1983, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu indirectly sent in a word about his inclination to join
the TDP. | Later Mr. Rama Rao expressed his Ieelings that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
would mend his ways and be dedicated...believing him he considered his request and
admitted him into the party|.
Though Mr. Rama Rao expressed his willingness, he constituted a committee
on January 24, with Mr. Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, Mr. Nallapureddy Srinivasulu
Reddy, Mr. Katuru Narayana Swamy, Mr. Devineni Sitaramaiah and Mr.Papa Rao
|Sirisilla MLA| to decide whether Mr. Chandrababu Naidu could be admitted. In
the aIternoon the committee held a meeting at the party oIIice in the Ramakrishna
Cine Studios to that eIIect. A number oI party workers Irom Chittoor, many a woman
activists and Mr. Merasani Venkatrama Naidu, who deIeated Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
and won the elections with a majority oI 17,000 votes Irom Chandragiri constituency,
were also present. When the committee`s proposal to admit Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
came-up Ior discussion, all the party workers Irom Chittoor |which was Chandrababu

1bougb Mr. komo koo expressed bis wi//iogoess,

be coostituted o committee oo Joouory 24, witb
Mr. Rodeod/ o 8boskoro koo, Mr.Ro/ /opureddy
5rioivosu/u keddy, Mr.koturu Roroyooo
5womy, Mr. 0evioeoi 5itoromoiob ood Mr. Popo koo
{5irisi//o MLA] to decide wbetber Mr. Cboodrobobu
Roidu cou/d be odmitted.

45
Naidu`s own district| and the party activists Irom other districts, jointly opposed the
proposal.
The women openly started cursing... In spite oI all those happenings besides
stiII opposition Irom all quarters, the committee passed a resolution in
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu`s Iavour and made an announcement accordingly.
Mr. Bhaskara Rao alone opposed that resolution and had not signed. Ever since
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and Mr. Bhaskara Rao had been at the loggerheads. The
very next day, there was a cartoon printed in the columns oI Eenaau,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was seen going to Mr.Rama Rao`s house jubilantly with
suitcases... and the caption was... Illarikamlo unna ma:aa. On one occasion, the
party workers chased the committee members in a blow oI anger.
The exodus started once again. The Lok Dal party members Mr. Vadde
Sobhanadreeswara Rao, Mr. Sunkara Satyanarayana |Ex- M.L. C.| and
Dr. Kasaraneni Sadasiva Rao dissolved their party and joined the TDP. Subsequently,
the Socialist Party members.. .Mr. Tummala Chowdary |Ex-M. P.| and
Mr. Chakradhara Rao were also admitted into the party en masse. As all those
persons were against the Congress Irom the beginning, there was hardly any opposition
Ior their entry into the TDP.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
46
ITH the entry oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu into the Telugu
Desam Partv, whatever were hurdles, corruption, odds and
evens against which culture Mr. Rama Rao Iought and came
to power by launching the party... the same svstem ana culture started occupying
the Iront seat oI the party and the government.
As I had already expressed, I was not willing to stay on in politics. When
diIIerent ways and means had crept into the party, a soul- searching kind oI retrospection
dawned in me... the outcome was a Iirm decision that I should not leave the party but
stay back. So that some how or the other, I could protect the interests and the
objectives with which the party was launched.
It was usual Ior Mr. Rama Rao to get up early in the morning. His everyday
schedule began in oIIice at 4 am, when he occupied his seat in his room on the First
Floor. Exactly at 5 am, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu used to surIace along with those
three persons, who came with him Irom the Congress. Nobody knew, what encomiums
~.~.~~ ~~ .., . ..

0o seeiog sucb routioe octs oj sycopboocy' tbere,

Mr. Cbo/omesworo koo ood I were wooder-struck ood
greot/y excited... At ooy poiot oj time, ij beord
obout tbeir so-co//ed greot bistoric reputotioo'
{wbeo tbey were witb tbe Coogress], I wos io jret
ood jume witb some kiod oj oo irritob/e jee/iog
ruooiog jrom my beod to toes. I o/so woodered bow
sucb wbite e/epboots' cou/d oct os odvisers to Mr.
komo koo! Abrupt/y, tbey troosjormed bis miod
ood mode bim depeodeot oo tbem by oorrotiog some
strooge issues ood moke-be/ieve to/es.

47
did Mr. Chandrababu Naidu pay to parade his aides everyday beIore Mr. Rama
Rao, even at his breakIast table!
On seeing such routi ne acts oI svcophancv there,
Mr. Chalameswara Rao and I were wonder-struck and greatly excited...At any point
oI time, iI heard about their so-called great historic reputation` |when they were with
the Congress|, I was in Iret and Iume with some kind oI an irritable Ieeling running
Irom my head to toes. I also wondered how such white elephants` could act as
advisers to Mr. Rama Rao! Abruptly, they transIormed his mind and made him
dependent on them by narrating some strange issues and make-believe tales.
Meanwhile, the inIlux to the oIIice was gradually on the rise. It became
too diIIicult Ior us to identiIy all visitors and keep them in order...a majority oI whom
happened to be his Ians and the youth, who toiled themselves during the party
campaigning programmes.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
48
I was present all along during the party activities and could
identiIy most oI the people, who worked in districts, Mr. Rama
Rao nominated me as the president oI the Telugu Yuvata in
April and wanted me to set it in order. Immediately, I started gathering the party
activists and to inculcate core values and discipline in them, I prepared and executed
a plan oI action Ior conducting political training programmes. The Iirst state-level
training programme was proposed to be held at Kavuru Jinavasramam at Repalle

As port oj tbe porty's oew strotegies, it wos decided to bo/d o

ootiooo/-/eve/ meetiog witb tbe /eoders, wbo opposed tbe Coogress...
vijoyowodo become tbe veoue jor tbe meetiog. Promioeot /eoders
/ike Mr. A.8.vojpoyee, Mr. Cboodrosekbor, Mr. 8iju Potooik,
Mr. 8obuguoo, Mr. Iorooq Abdu//o, tbe tbeo korootoko Cbiej
Mioister, Mr. komokrisboo Begde, tbe Commuoist sto/worts,
Mr. Cboodro kojesworo koo, Mr. 8osovopuoooiob ood tbe tbeo 1omi/
Rodu Cbiej Mioister, Mr. M.6. komocboodroo porticipoted.

49
in Guntur district. State-wide around 1,000 persons were identiIied and invited. There
was a reason Ior selecting Vinayasramam` as the venue Ior training programme.
Eminent persons like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Babu
Rajendra Prasad trekked that place, visited the aasramam and planted some
saplings during the Independence movement. Those saplings had grown into huge
trees now and reminded us oI the rare visits by those great people.
Coming to the training programme at the centre... besides political matters,
history, physical exercises Ior Iitness and health were included in the curriculum.
Discipline in high order was taught and maintained in that 10-day programme. When
Mr. Rama Rao attended the valedictory ceremony, he was in all praise Ior me...while
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu Ielt that the youth under my leadership was growing into a
big organisation...Iurther, he envied and regretted...iI that state oI aIIairs in the party
were allowed to continued, his own existence could be aIIected.
That selIish motive made him put up his proposal beIore Mr. Rama Rao
stating that such programmes would be more useIul and beneIicial to whole oI the
TDP cadre, which included activists oI all age groups, iI it were carried out on behalI
oI the party. Alas! Without seeing the hidden cunningness oI his proposal, Mr. Rama
Rao approved it. Thus he simply hifackea my creative thinking. Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu, who could not deliver any speech till then, some how started learning by
speaking beIore the party workers at the training centres. The people who hailed
50
Irom Chittoor district, very well knew the Iact that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu`s inability
to address public meetings. And the same group oI people commented that those
training centres were turning into the learning centres Ior Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu.
A Ioundation stone was laid Ior the Telugu Ganga Profect on April 27,
1983. That historical occasion gained importance with the participation oI Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi and Tamil Nadu ChieI Minister M.G. Ramachandran. It was
planned to supply 15 tmc water to Rayalaseema, while drinking water to Chennai.
As part oI the party`s new strategies, it was decided to hold a national-level
meeting with the leaders, who opposed the Congress... Vijayawada became the
venue Ior the meeting. Prominent leaders like Mr. A.B.Vajpayee, Mr. Chandrasekhar,
Mr. Biju Patnaik, Mr. Bahuguna, Mr. Farooq Abdulla, the then Karnataka ChieI
Minister, Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde, the Communist stalwarts, Mr. Chandra Rajeswara
Rao, Mr. Basavapunnaiah and the then Tamil Nadu ChieI Minister,
Mr. M.G. Ramachandran participated.
Mr. Upendra who had taken more initiative in that, got recognised in the
party... Earlier, he was deIeated in the bye-elections held Ior the Himayatnagar
constituency in Hyderabad. That vacancy arose with the sudden death oI
Mr. Narayana Rao during announcement oI the results oI the elections held in January,
1983.
51
bye-election Ior the Martur constituency in Prakasam district
was held in September 1983. I was lucky to contest Irom
Martur... because the then sitting MLA, Mr. Gottipati
Hanumantha Rao got elected as the Chairman oI the Zilla Parishad. Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu was at his best to see that I did not get the party ticket. In order to strengthen
his mala fiae eIIorts to stall my candidature, he coined a new slogan that no other
member Irom the same Iamily should grow in the party. That by-election was over
and I took the oath oI oIIice and secrecy as MLA ... In Iact...that happened to be my
maiden oIIicial and political assignment heralding a new era in my public liIe.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, seemed to have been quite disturbed at that.
Later, he came up with another concept with ulterior design... that nobody should
enjoy dual posts in the party. To give more teeth to his selI-proclaimed doctrine, he
pressurised on me to Iorego either the post I was holding in the Telugu Yuvata or
my elected Assembly seat.. In view oI that I had to quit the party post oI the Telugu
Yuvata. PortIolios were allocated to the Iirst council oI ministers...Mr. Nadendla

Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu, seemed to

bove beeo quite disturbed ot tbot. /oter,
be come up witb oootber coocept witb
u/terior desigo...tbot oobody sbou/d
eojoy duo/ posts io
tbe porty. 1o give
more teetb to bis
se/j-proc/oimed doctrioe, be pressurised me to
jorego eitber tbe post I wos bo/diog io tbe 1e/ugu
Yuvoto' or my e/ected Assemb/y seot...Io view oj
tbot I bod to quit tbe porty post oj tbe 1e/ugu
Yuvoto'.

, .~~. . .. ~..
52
Bhaskara Rao got Iinance, Mr. Nallapureddy Srinivasulu Reddy: Roads and buildings
and Mr. Jana Reddy: Agriculture, Marketing and seven other subjects. When I won
the Martur by-election, there was a proposal to expand the cabinet to accommodate
me. But, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu intentionallv leaked that news to the press a
day earlier with a personal Ieeling as iI a big harm was done to the party. He exercised
extra care to see that a news item with the headline Alluaiki anaalam meaning
Palanquin to son-in-law was prominently Ieatured in the columns oI news papers.
Next morning, he brought to the attention oI Mr. Rama Rao the published
news items and prevailed upon him to withdraw my name Irom the proposed list oI
ministers to be inducted. When the expansion oI the cabinet was over,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu with an ill-will, managed to announce that there would
be another expansion. I was Iully unaware oI the hidden meaning behind his
announcement. Only during the course oI my political career, I understood that those
were the gimmicks laid as the bait by Mr. Chandrababu Naidu with a view to
trapping gullible, who aspired Ior berths in the cabinet... and his aim being making
them loiter around him. That kind oI airtv tricks he would have learnt, when he
was with the Congress. But, I never wanted myselI to walk on his Ioot prints.
53
Rama Rao leIt Ior the United States to get a surgery
perIormed to his heart. I also accompanied him. The surgery
was done by Dr. Denton Cooli in Houston. Mr. Rama Rao
was gradually recovering. It was customary Ior the ChieI Minister oI Andhra Pradesh
to hoist the Tricolour on the Independence Day. As Mr. Rama Rao was hospitalised
in the States, there were discussions going round as to who should hoist the Ilag on
August 15. As per protocol, the Finance Minister, Mr. Nadendla Bhaskara Rao next
in command should hoist the Ilag... But, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu did not like him to
be given that importance.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu who got Mr. Appa Rao appointed as Intelligence
OIIicer was also with us in the US., Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was talking to him at a
Irequency oI every one hour. At last, he was successIul in preventing Mr. Bhaskara
Rao Irom hoisting the national Ilag. That incident added Iuel to the Iire...The
unIorgettable diIIerences between them were at the peak.
The other day, our return journey was routed through London to Hyderabad.
A large number oI people were waiting at the airport at 5 pm. And, a shocking news
what we heard Irom some oI those people was that a signature campaigning was
going on under the stewardship oI Mr. Bhaskara Rao to get Mr. Rama Rao ousted
Irom the oIIice oI the ChieI Minister. That unhealthy move clearly showed a gross
Iailure on the part oI the Inspector General oI Police |Intelligence|. Because, around

A /orge oumber oj peop/e were woitiog ot tbe

oirport ot 5 pm. Aod, o sbockiog oews wbot we
beord jrom some oj tbose peop/e wos tbot o sigooture
compoigoiog wos goiog oo uoder tbe stewordsbip
oj Mr. 8boskoro koo to get Mr. komo koo ousted
jrom tbe ojjice oj tbe Cbiej Mioister.

~~.~~ ~ . .
54
60 to 70 signatures oI the M.L.As had already been secured. Hardly had we heard
about it, when we leaped into the scene.
Let me narrate an incident here...The propaganda that the eIIorts to mobilise
and transIer the MLAs to the Ramakrishna Cine Studios were made by
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu alone was a blatant lie. His main plan was that nobody
should have any importance next to Mr. Rama Rao...II it had happened so,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu Ielt that his Iuture in the party and selI-prospects would
become bleak resulting in next to nothing.
The blueprints oI such sketches were careIully drawn by him Ior
implementation, as days passed on. I along with Mr. M.S. Prasad, Mr. Lokeswara
Rao, Mr. Jayachandra Naidu, Mr. Chalameswara Rao and a Iew MLAs visited new
and old MLA quarters, some guest houses, hotels and transported as many MLAs
as possible to the Ramakrishna Cine Studios. We were searching Ior some more
throughout the night and I still remember... that we had some reIreshments early in
that morning at a small hotel in Nampalli.
Later, several developments had taken place like...travel
by special trains to New Delhi, head-counts oI legislators on the
lawns oI the Rashtrapati Bhavan...Iailure oI our eIIorts there...and
with the help oI the Karnataka ChieI Minister, Mr. Ramakrishna
Hegde...taking shelter atop the Nandi Hills etc. Mrs. Nannapaneni
Rajakumari, who removed the evil eves on Mr. Rama Rao, when
he leIt Ior the US., joined Mr. Bhaskara Rao`s camp, by the time
Mr. Rama Rao returned to the state capital aIter treatment.
But, all the MLAs had decided on their own to be with us, enjoyed total
Ireedom oI movement without any pressure and were allowed to be either in New
Delhi or at the Nandi Hills. In spite oI all those happenings, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
propagated that he was alone responsible Ior keeping those MLAs saIe at the camp
thus prevented them Irom going out...He could cleverly manage the media also in
support oI his false claims and scored unaue honour and weightage Irom
Mr. Rama Rao. Further, with his pervertea intelligence, he sent signals to that
eIIect to the outer world, which was Iar beyond his sight.
55
FTER the surgery Mr. Rama Rao set out on a tour oI entire
Andhra Pradesh. A number oI national leaders expressed
their solidarity and participated in that tour. For the Iirst time,
Mr. Harikrishna steered Chaitanva Raaham. NTR`s brother Mr. Trivikrama Rao,
who had been with his brother in the tinsel world, came out Ior the Iirst time and
travelled wide along with Mr. Rama Rao. Wherever he travelled and addressed,
there were huge Iollowers and innumerable audience heard him. There was a very
great response Irom all quarters. And the result was... the controversial Governor,
Mr. Ram Lal was dismissed and Dr. Shankardayal Sharma replaced him.
Exactly aIter a month, on September 16, the Governor honourably invited
Mr. Rama Rao to Iorm the government and take the oath oI oIIice and secrecy as the
ChieI Minister again...thus he regained his chair in the Secretariat. A couple oI months
Ileeted very Iast. In December, general elections to Parliament were held. At the
same time several unIoreseen developments had taken place at political Iront such as
assassination oI Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the Congress securing 430 seats in Parliament,
...~ ... ~. ,~

A coup/ e oj mootbs
j/ eeted very j ost. Io
0ecember, geoero/ e/ectioos
to Por/iomeot were be/d. At
tbe some time severo/
uojoreseeo deve/opmeots
bod tokeo p/oce ot po/itico/
jroot sucb os ossossiootioo oj Mrs. Iodiro 6oodbi oo 0ctober 31,
tbe Coogress securiog 430 seots io Por/iomeot, Mr.kojiv 6oodbi
becomiog tbe youogest Prime Mioister ood witb 35 MPs, tbe 10P
eoteriog Por/iomeot os tbe siog/e /orgest 0ppositioo etc.

56
Mr. Rajiv Gandhi becoming the youngest Prime Minister, when Mr. Zail Singh was
the President, with 35 MPs, the TDP entering Parliament as the single largest
Opposition and Mr. Madhava Reddy, who represented Adilabad parliamentary
constituency taking up the leadership etc.
The Bharatiya Janata Party gained only 2 seats...One that which
Mr. Vajpayee won and the other being Mr. Janga Reddy, who deIeated Mr. P.V.
Narasimha Rao in warangal with the help oI the TDP. Then onwards the party became
the Iocal point in national-level politics. Meetings were periodically held at the A.P.
Bhavan in New Delhi. Mr. Upendra who got elected to the Rajya Sabha, managed
the aIIairs there.
In yet another tie-up during the elections oI 1984, the leader oI the Telangana
Praja Samiti, Mr. Marri Channareddy, who met Mr. Rama Rao and sought to have
electoral alliance with the TDP. Though he contested the elections with the support oI
the TDP Irom Karimnagar constituency, he could not win. As Mr. Rama Rao held in
high esteem, he used to invite him to dinner quite oIten.
During the episode oI Mr. Bhaskara Rao in August, Mrs. Renuka Chowdary
became Iamous, when she threw her Iootwear at a meeting that held at the new MLA
quarters in Hyderabad. Though she began her political career just as a corporator in
Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha later.
57
RAMA RAO dissolved the Assembly on November 22 to
seek Iresh mandate. The party at that time had the tie-up with
both the Communist parties and the BJP and won the Assembly
elections those held on March 5, 1985 with 202 seats, while the Congress secured
a meagre 50 seats only.
He was sworn-in as the ChieI Minister Ior the third time with 25 ministries in
his cabinet. Mr. Rama Rao`s poll promises like rice Ior Rs. 2 a kg under Public
Distribution System had gained popularity and been running smooth, the construction
oI permanent houses Ior the poor had not been taken-up.
One day, he summoned oIIicials and told them about his aim to build one
lakh houses with solid concrete in clusters. He drew a rough sketch oI his plan on a
sheet oI paper and gave it to them with instruction to prepare blue-prints based on
his suggestions.
The oIIicials Ielt and expressed that it was beyond Ieasibility. But, Mr. Rama
Rao without giving up his idea had held as many as Iive rounds oI meetings with
them. Finally at the IiIth round, as per the suggestions oI Mr. Raghavendra Rao,
Principal Secretary to Mr. Rama Rao, the oIIicials arrived at the conclusion that the
plan could be worked out and implemented because oI which they had agreed. In
those days nobody believed that such a plan could be implemented to construct
..~, ~. . ~

Io tbose doys oobody be/ieved tbot sucb o p/oo cou/d be

imp/emeoted to coostruct permooeot bouses to occommodote 1
/okb jomi/ies ood it wos je/t tbot Mr. komo koo wos bui/diog cost/es
io tbe oir witb doy dreoms. Lveo tbe pro-porty 1e/ugu doi/y Leoodu'
Cbiej Lditor, Mr. komoji koo, bod o sorcostic cortooo pub/isbed io
tbe co/umos, portroyiog Mr. komo koo os o mogicioo witb o mogic
wood io bis boods ood o gor/ood oj sku//s orouod bis oeck... wbeo
be uttered...bompbot'...1 /okb bouses suddeo/y oppeored.

58
permanent houses to accommodate 1 lakh Iamilies and it was Ielt that Mr. Rama Rao
was building castles in the air with day dreams.
Even the pro-party Telugu daily Eenaau ChieI Editor, Mr. Ramoji Rao,
had a sarcastic cartoon published in the columns, portraying Mr. Rama Rao as a
magician with a magic wand in his hands and a garland oI skulls around his neck.
When he uttered...hamphat`...1 lakh houses suddenly appeared. That same
cartoonic inIormation was conveyed to him over telephone a day beIore its publication
and Iurther he was told that aIter the elections and Ior the Iirst time such a cartoon
against Mr. Rama Rao was being published.
Later, everybody knew how those permanent houses, a dream project oI
Mr. Rama Rao, became very popular not only in Andhra Pradesh but also everywhere
nationwide. Mr. Raghavendra Rao, who was the think-tank behind that novel project
died prematurely in an accident in Vijayawada. While mourning his death and paying
homage, Mr. Rama Rao expressed that with his death, the state lost a scheming head
and it was an irreparable loss personally to him.
59
have to narrate an incident that crept in aIter the elections were
over in 1985. A policy decision was taken to get the liquor
bottling plants organized in the state on behalI oI the government.
For the Iirst time, the process oI corrupt practices began. There was a political
conspiracv` to divert it in Iavour oI a single person... Mr. Purushotam oI Tamil Nadu.
There entered Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, in a selI-driven card approached
Mr. Purushotam, who was staying in Hotel Banjara |now, Taj Banjara| struck a deal
with the help oI Mr. Unnikrishnan, a Rajya Sabha member Irom Kerala and brought
Rs. 3 crore stuIIed in gunny bags. Mr. Unnikrishnan was set to be a Iriend oI
Mr. Upendra also. The habit oI collecting money Ior doing a Iavour or the other was
never there in the party earlier. Because the TDP won the elections opposing such
corrupt practices.
Somehow, Mr. Rama Rao knew about that shaav aeal and stopped
allotment oI the bottling plants to private parties. He wanted the government to take
up those. When the decision was on the reverse, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu invariably
had to return that huge money to Mr. Purushotam, who was reportedly threatening
~.~.~~ ~~ ..

5omebow, Mr. komo koo koew obout tbot sbody

deo/', ood stopped o//otmeot tbe bott/iog p/oots
to privote porties. Be wooted tbe goveromeot to
toke up tbose. wbeo tbe decisioo wos oo tbe
reverse, Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu iovoriob/y bod to
returo tbot buge mooey to Mr. Purusbotom, wbo
wos reported/y tbreoteoiog bim jor o /oog time.
Iioo//y, bow mucb mooey wos returoed to bim
remoioed o deep mystery.

60
him Ior a long time. Finally, how much money was returned to him remained a deep
mystery. The Mahanaau was conducted in a big way in Hyderabad on January 9,
1985... On the pretext oI the Mahanaau Mr. Chandrababu Naidu collected a
huge Iunds.
He also set target Ior each constituency on arrangement oI vehicles. Sensing
that there would be surveillance on their movement, all kalvana manaapams`
|wedding halls| and cottages were taken in possession oI the government. Very cleverly,
he had improved rapport with the press and managed to project a Ialse propaganda
that he was alone responsible Ior all those arrangements made Ior the Mahanaau.
On the contrary, he only had developed and brought in an unhealthy culture
oI acquiring vehicles on payment. When people thronged at the venue in large numbers,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu by creating a pseudo impression |that he was a very good
organiser,| bagged recognition. UnIortunately, Mr. Rama Rao did not know all about
collection oI Iunds and my argument even at that time was that the TDP need not
resort to any such means, where transaction oI money was involved.
Till that time the expenditure required Ior an MLA candidate to contest
elections was between Rs. 3 lakh to 4 lakh. Once the elections were over, the elected
legislators started resorting to shortcut methods and unlawIul means to earn their
spent money back.
Why should we speak about somebody? The Congress MLA Irom
Srikalahasti, Mr. Subrahmanyam Naidu, once told me that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
himselI had paid a ransom oI Rs.5 lakh to become the minister...much more than that
he did a lot oI nasty things at Hotel Savera in Chennai, which could not be uttered or
herd in a word or two...!
All my arguments centered round a single-point... II somebody was taken
to the Hotel Savera in Chennai Ior mediation and politicising things there Ior money,
the same old tradition thatsomething haa to be aone to people, who gave us
monev for political power...would go on Iorever. Wasn`t the Telugu Desam
Partv elected contrary to that tradition and culture?
Whenever party activists Irom Chittor district visited me, they oIten mentioned
the Mr.Chandrababu Naidu, who belonged to the same district as torch-light
minister.` In the beginning I did not understand, why they called him like that. The
tale behind it was: When Mr.Chandrababu Naidu was a minister in the Congress
61
Je eae| ej te paqe...
Government, Once he went to Vizag. At that time he was the Minister Ior Minor
Irrigation.During that period, the contractors did not give him the usual mamools.
He was angry with them and decided to harass. He immediately ordered to check
the works executed by the contractors and personally involved in checking those
works.
It was night and at the construction site, it was utter darkness.
Mr.Chandrababu Naidu asked the oIIicial Ior a torch-light. With its help he checked
the quality oI the construction...! But on seeing his initiative all the contractors gave
him his due percentage. From then onwards in his native Chittoor district, people
started addressing him torch-light minister instead minor irrigation minister.
62
HE process oI constituting Mandals started...accordingly one
revenue area, which was considered as a taluk was devided
into three / Iour Mandals each Ior better administrative
Ieasibility. On that principle, more than 1,100 Mandals were born. In the reconstituted
Panchayati Raj setup Presidents oI the Mandals and the Zilla Parishads were elected
directly.
Subsequently, implementation oI reservation Ior the BCs, Ior the Iirst time
10 quota Ior women, cancellation oI Patel patwari system, power supply at Rs.
50/- a horsepower to Iarm sector under Grameena Kranti Pathakam` and people`s
participation in various rural schemes such as liIt irrigation and construction oI roads
and buildings etc. Iollowed.
It was during elections to Panchayati Raj, Mandals and Zilla Parishads in
1986, Mr. Rama Rao was campaigning at Madanapalle in Chittoor district. At that
time...I remember when he openly declared that Mr. Nandamuri Balakrishna, one oI
his sons, as his political heir. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu in a bid oI revolt brought heavy
pressure on Mr. Rama Rao and made him deny his own statement.
AIter those elections were over...one Iine morning, I received a phone call
. ~.~ ~.~ ,~ .

0oe jioe moroiog, I received o pbooe

co// jrom Mr. komo koo, wbo cootocted
me jrom bis bouse ood soid tbot tbere
wou/d be oo ootb-tokiog ceremooy by oew
mioisters ot koj 8bovoo orouod 11 om ood
tbot I sbou/d go over tbere to toke tbe os
o mioister.

63
Irom Mr. Rama Rao, who contacted me Irom his house and said that there would be
an oath-taking ceremony by new ministers at Raj Bhavan around 11 am and that I
should go over there to take oath as a minister. It looked apparent that Mr. Rama
Rao had not discussed with anybody about his palns to expand his ministry. So that
the news could not be leacked out and spread, as it happened earlier.He had also
guessed...iI that news about the cabinet expansion reached out, vestea interest
could causeaaverse news items in the columns oI Press.
AIter the swearing-in ceremony oI the expanded cabinet, I was allocated
Medical and Health portIolio. Let me Irankly tell you... about...at least some good
works I had executed, while being the minister. Around 800 more Primary Health
Centres |PHCs| were established besides those 400 existing already thus the strength
going up to 1200. My concept behind that was... at least one PHC should become
Iunctional at each Mandal. The well-known Nizam Orthopaedic Hospital was
converted into Nizam Institute oI Medical Sciences |NIMS| upgrading its status to
that oI a deemed university... which became very popular and was recognised at the
international level.
It became so popular that Mr. Bagareddy, the leader oI the Opposition
stood up in the Assembly during its session one day and revealed that though
permission was granted by the then Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi to undergo a
surgery to his heart in the US., he did not go...but had undergone the surgery at the
NIMS... he was in all praises Ior the treatment he received, which he said was on a
par with global standards.
And I recollect... that it was during my tenure as the Minister Ior Health,
corporate hospitals like Apollo
came into being. I used to work
Ior about 20 hours a day both Ior
the party and Ior my ministry,
Iorgetting my domestic chores.
I used to visit Prakasam, my home
district every week. By the time the
programmes were over their in the
district, it was almost 3 am.
Mrs. Purandeswari being the
home-maker shoulder ed all
responsibilities.
64
Though I was in power, she never utilised it... It so happened that...one
day, when my child was aIIlicted with severe ear-pain, she lonely drove to a private
clinic as usual. While she was waiting out Ior her turn in the queue, Dr. Krishna Rao,
a renowned ENT specialist, who was treating patients came out Ior some thing, saw
my wiIe waiting over there, recognised and took her inside Ior diagnosis and treatment
oI my child.
In spite oI the Iact that her spouse |i.e., me| being the Minister Ior Health
and her Iather ruling the state as the ChieI Minister, she never took any undue advantage
and behaved like an ordinary citizen even at the time oI the acute illness oI my child...that
kind oI her attitude made me proud. And because oI that, I was keenly concentrating
in my ministerial aIIairs without hindrance and unmindIul oI my domestic chores.
Whenever I visited the Prakasam district, I travelled by car only during
nights. That preIerence oI mine helped me to discharge my duties during the day in
oIIice. II my driver seemed to be sleepy, while driving during nights, I always wanted
him to park the car by the side oI road and we dozed in the car itselI. Similar
episodes were not unusal to us.
While in TDP, I came across an important happening in Telangana region
during 1985-`86. The naxalites |now Maoists| joined the TDP cadre in largew
numbers. They occupied even party posts in diIIerent capacities mainly at village and
mandal levels. This started Irom 1984 onwards. AIter sometime when the
government`s stand changed towards naxalism and naxalites later, they returned to
their own party. Sometimes when they were caught by the police, I was surprised to
hear their names, those were very Iamiliar to me as the Telugu Yuvata as well as the
TDP leaders.
When I enquired about the change in their stand, I came to know more
about them. As dalam leaders they got more respect and money at their villages than
as Telugu Desam leaders.Once the Telugu Desam Government started behaving tough
with the naxalites, they too started with activities like kidnapping oI telugu desam
leaders. But when Mr. Malahar Rao, a mandal president oI Manthana Assembly
constituency in Karimnagar district, was kidnapped and later murdered by the
naxalites, the government changed its policy also towards naxalites.
The government created a special police Iorce to curb naxalism and named
it Greyhound`. Mr. Vyas,an IPS oIIicer, was the leader oI the Greyhounds. Later,
the Greyhound police Iorce became very eIIective and many police oIIicials Irom
65
other states came to our state to enquire about it. Mr.Vyas was behind the creation
the Greyhounds. When he was in Vijayawada as Police Commissioner, I noticed one
more thing , while passing through Vijayawada during night time. People Iollowed
traIIic rules strictly even during nights. Even rickshaw-pullars Iollowed the traIIic
rules at nights. Such was the specialty oI Mr. Vyas.
One more incident still I do remember... When I was the Minister Ior Health,
there was a strike by the doctors... I was called Ior holding negotiations with striking
doctors to settle their issues. But, I had set a pre-condition that they should join
duties immediately and work Ior additional two hours unconditionally to express
resentment iI any...I was really surprised that they obliged, reported Ior duties, worked
Ior two hours more in addition to their usual working hours and approached me Ior
talks.
The attitude oI those doctors impressed me much...I sat with them, held
deliberations in congenial atmosphere and settled their problems...It was a very smooth
aIIair all along...
Je eae| ej te paqe...
66
HE Telugu Desam Partv organised a Mahanaau in 1987
on the banks oI the Krishna in Vijayawada. I had spent most
oI time exposing myselI to the blazing Sun Ior making
arrangements. I was also the minister at that time. The speciality oI that Mahanaau
was... that Mr. Rama Rao never allowed anybody to collect Iunds or seek donations.
Instead, he had arranged hunais` at a Iew points oI the venue oI the Mahanaau.
He was very careIul to see that a pressnote was released drawing the attention oI
those well-wishers, who wanted to donate, were at their liberty to do so by making
use oI those hunais arranged. There was a distinct appeal that nothing in cash or
kind should be given to anybody... Probably somebody close to him could have
tipped him oII the inIormation that Mr.
Chandrababu Naidu was knocking
awav a sizable sum, whenever the
Mahanaau kind oI a public meeting
was hel d. Though donors wer e
approaching Mr. Rama Rao directly, he
made them personally drop their money
in hunais. The total sum thus collected

1bougb dooors were opproocbiog Mr. komo koo direct/y, be

mode tbem persooo//y drop tbeir mooey io buodis'. 1be toto/
sum tbus co//ected wos occouoted jor ood tbe some wos pub/isbed
io tbe co/umos oj oewspopers oo doy-to-doy bosis. Lverytbiog
wos smootb, c/eor ood tbe porty got ks.60 /okb ojter deductioo
oj expeoditure. 1be porty ojjice wos coostructed io tbe some yeor
ot 6oodipet io Byderobod. Loter, Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu ji/ed o
cose io tbe court ood sootcbed it owoy jrom Mr. komo koo.

NTR fans on thei r way to the NTR fans on thei r way to the NTR fans on thei r way to the NTR fans on thei r way to the NTR fans on thei r way to the
67
was accounted Ior and the same was published in the columns oI newspapers on
day-to-day basis. Everything was smooth, clear and the party got Rs.60 lakh aIter
deduction oI expenditure. The party oIIice was constructed in the same year at
Gandipet in Hyderabad. Later, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu Iiled a case in the court and
snatchea it awav Irom Mr. Rama Rao.
Prior to the construction oI the party oIIice at Gandipet, it was located on a
rented premises at Himayatnagar. One day an old lady who came to the oIIice was
waiting at the chamber meant Ior Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. When a person there
enquired about the purpose oI her visit, she pulled out a pack oI Rs.10,000/- and
said that she was told by the people oI her village that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
would give some job to her son, iI she greasea his palm with the money she
brought with her. But he handed her over to the police and subsequently held a news
conIerence.
Even in the TDP Mr.Chandrababu Naidu had not given up his old habit oI
grabbing percentages. During election periods publicity material like party Ilags,
banners, wall-posters, metal badges with NTR`s photo embossed on them etc., were
ordered to be made by external agencies and the same were supplied to candidates
instead oI Iunding them. The party spent crores oI rupees on that. Mr.Chandrababu
68
Naidu looked aIter all those transactions personally. Without percentages he never
entertained the agencies that came Iorward to make publicity material. Mr. Bhujanga
Rao and Mr.Ammadi Brahmanaiah, who worked as secretaries in the party central
oIIice, knew all those things very well.
The very next day there appeared a cartoon in the columns oI Eenaau...
In that, in whichan attenaer was seen asking the ola laav. Dia Mr. Chanarababu
Naiau look so cheap...? Doesnt he worth at least a lakh??
69
URING the rule oI the NTR Government, the people oI
Andhra Pradesh were happy... some praiseworthy achievements
oI the government were: Allocating electricity to Iarm sector at
Rs. 50 a horsepower, implementation oI Midday Meal Scheme Ior the students oI
gurukul schools, a novel scheme oI giving sarees ana ahotis at halI the price,
establishing statues oI great telegu scholars along the Tankbund and the tallest Buddha
statue amidst the Hussain Sagar lake etc. He wore the saIIron- robes, which he got
through my mother-in-law at the Mahanaau in Tirupati.
When everything was going on smooth, Mr. Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga`s
murder ranked the highest in Vijayawada politics. During wee hours oI December
26, 1988, while he was in sleep on the stage oI his hunger strike |which he undertook
peaceIully Ior the cause oI hawkers and small traders|, some unidentiIied elements
assaulted and killed him on the spot.
However, the TDP had nothing to do with that murder. Large-scale arson
and looting oI public property took place. Huge property oI the people oI Vijayawada,
who were not at all connected with the killing, were destroyed. It was an unreasonable
blot in the history oI Andhra Pradesh that a particular caste was identiIied and the
property oI the people belonged to that caste alone were destroyed, which led to the
communal Ilare-up in the state. Even its` repercussions remain an unextinguished Ilame.
~.,~ ~.,~ .~.~

Lorge-sco/e orsoo ood /ootiog oj pub/ic property took p/oce.

Buge property oj tbe peop/e oj vijoyowodo, wbo were oot ot o//
coooected witb tbe ki//iog, were destroyed. It wos oo uoreosooob/e
b/ot io tbe bistory oj Aodbro Prodesb tbot o porticu/or coste wos
ideotijied ood tbe property oj tbe peop/e be/ooged to tbot coste
o/ooe were destroyed, wbicb /ed to tbe commuoo/ j/ore-up io tbe
stote. Lveo its' repercussioos remoio oo uoextioguisbed j/ome.

70
The bodies oI Mr. Ranga and his
Iollowers, who were killed along with him
were taken to the Government General
Hospital in Vijayawada. Dr. M.Venkata
Rama Rao perIormed the post-mortem
examination. But, the staunch Iollowers, who
were with the body oI Mr. Ranga, initially
objected to the services oI Dr. Venkata Rama
Rao on the ground that he belonged to
Khamma community. AIter sometime,
having come to know that none else could do better... Dr. Venkata Rama Rao was
preIerred. He was my Iriend. Both oI us stayed in the same room in Warangal, while
prosecuting studies in Kakatiya Medical College.
On that day oI the incident, he worked round-the clock with dedication
and won the appreciation oI those people, who reIused his services in the beginning.
I still Ieel proud oI the Iact that he happened to be my Iriend.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
71
was a tension-ridden day... a message was Ilashed to all
ministers directing them to assemble in Mr. Rama Rao`s house
at Abids. It was 3.50 pm. Everybody came. The Personal
Assistant to the ChieI Minister sought the letters oI resignation Irom all those ministers,
who were present there. He acted promptly as per the directive oI Mr. Rama Rao.
All oI them were surprised at the move and started looking at one another. The
directive applied to me also. At last, I took the initiative and collected the signatures
oI all ministers, conIirming their resignations. However, I could not grasp the matter
completely.
What I thought at that time was that Mr. Rama Rao had done it in order to
remove 3 or 4 ministers in the ensuing expansion oI his cabinet. Some oI the ministers
had leakea the aiscussions held within the cabinet to the Press. It was the same
group that had participated in the programme openly in Khammam district, contrary
to the discipline and code oI conduct oI the party. ThereIore, we thought, that though
30 members had tendered the resignations only 4 or 5 would be axed. Later, I came
to know I was also sacked, when 30 new ministers took the oath oI oIIice and
secrecy aIresh.
I have to recollect another incident oI that day here...the most important
political activity I had ever undertaken in my liIe was to prevent the Iall oI the
;... ~.~., ~/ .. ~

I bove to reco//ect oo iocideot oj tbot doy bere...tbe most

importoot po/itico/ octivity I bod ever uodertokeo io my /ije wos to
preveot tbe jo// oj tbe goveromeot, wbicb remoioed uokoowo to
tbe otber wor/d. Leoodu', ooce o pro-R1k doi/y storted pub/isbiog
oews ogoiost bim. It reported tbot tbe sockiog oj o// tbose 30
mioisters ot o stretcb wos ootbiog but oo oct oj orrogooce coup/ed
witb immoro/ vo/ues ood jeudo/ism ood tbe /egis/otive members
sbou/d rebe/ ogoiost sucb o drocooioo move oj Mr. komo koo.

72
government, which remained unknown to the other world. Eenaau, once a pro-
NTR daily started publishing news against him. It reported that the sacking oI all
those 30 ministers at a stretch was nothing but an act oI arrogance coupled with
immoral values and Ieudalism and the legislative members should rebel against such a
draconian move oI Mr. Rama Rao.
The same newspaper had editorialised thrice that 120 MLAs |the daily`s
own source| were against Mr. Rama Rao. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was tight-lipped
and continued to maintain complete silence, which meant his implicit consent to those
sequence oI anti-party events.
From 3rd day onwards, I started understanding the prevailing situation and
when I approached those 30 ministers, |who were removed| with a proposal to give
a press announcement in Iavour oI Mr. Rama Rao, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu as the
ChieI Whip oI the party, during the session oI the Assembly had tried at his best to
prevent those members, who were about to address the Press...Finally, I was able to
convince and manage 27 members to make a Iavourable statement. Mr. Vasantha
Nageswara Rao, Mr. Jana Reddy and Mr. K.E. Krishnamurthy were present.
The speaker, Mr. G.V. Narayana Rao along with some oI the aefunct
ministers started inviting the MLAs in groups to dinner meetings during night. Thus,
the number oI such members rose between 70 to 80. Then I jumped into the scene
alone. With the help oI the other members, who were close to me, I started calling on
a Iew more.
When they told me their problems, I started clearing their doubts and erased
the note oI dissatisIaction Irom their minds, as and when it became necessary. I used
to lead such members to Mr. Rama Rao and sometimes held talks with oIIicials.
Mr. Sriram Kumar |IG-Intelligence| extended his help to me, whenever I sought, by
providing with details oI dinner meetings with discussions held there among
participants. This kind oI exercise was carried out Ior about 10 days and I could
convince 150 members aIter holding discussions with them. They were sincere, honest
and developed Iaith in me.
I used to keep Mr. Rama Rao, abreast oI all situations and happenings
Irom time to time without Iail.
73
ET me narrate another experience, which I have had with an
MLA..! Mr. Nettem Raghuram |M.L.A Irom the Jaggaiahpet
constituency in Krishna district| and Mr. Vasantha Nageswara
Rao oI the same district were very close to each other. Mr. Raghuram encountered
with a problem at that time.
He owned a poultry-Iarm and there was an allegation against him that he had
a lot oI discrepancies in his books oI accounts. He did not even clear the loans he
borrowed, diverted them to other purposes and the police started investigating into
the matter.
He also told me that those police personnel were sent by Mr. Rama Rao
and he Ielt it to be an insult to him. Subsequently, when I enquired about it with
Mr. Rama Rao, he denied his role in that episode and asked me to ascertain Irom the
I.G. |Intelligence| as to who had sent the police... I was totally surprised, when I got
the answer Irom the I.G. that it was the Home Minister, Mr. Vasantha Nageswara
Rao, who had directed the police to get investigated into the aIIairs oI poultry-Iarm
that belonged to Mr. Raghuram.
The reason attributed was in the event oI any shuIIle in the ministry,
Mr. Raghuram, who was next to him, had better chances to become a minister.
Sensing that...it was Mr. Vasantha Nageswara Rao, who enacted the foul plav and

As o /ost step...wbeo I goioed joitb oj /oyo/ists,

I weot to Mr. komoji koo ood jrook/y to/d bim...Io
your editorio/, you expressed tbot 120 MLAs were
ogoiost tbe ru/e oj R1k...! witb utmost respect oo
you ood jor your poper, I come bere oo/y to iojorm
tbot just o group oj 5 or 6 /egis/otors remoioed
dissotisjied...!

74
wanted to implicate Mr. Raghuram in a false case. So that he could lose the
chance oI becoming the minister. BeIore inducting anybody into the ministry, it was
customary to Iind out whether there were allegations or corruption charges pending
against such a member. I conveyed Mr. Raghuram all those inIormation I had gathered
and he Ielt satisIied. On similar lines, I could clariIy doubts and get 120 to 130
members convinced.
Meanwhile, there were rumours aIloat...that during the next elections some
oI the legislators would Iorego the party ticket. That kind oI a conIusion was created
by some vestea interest within the party. I used to take those MLAs, who were in
utter conIusion and in deep dilemma to Mr. Rama Rao and got their doubts cleared.
As a last step...when I gained Iaith oI loyal members, I went to Mr. Ramoji
Rao and Irankly told him... In vour eaitorial, vou expressea that 120 MLAs were
against the rule of NTR... With utmost respect on vou ana for vour paper, I
came here onlv to inform that fust a group of 5 or 6 legislators remainea
aissatisfiea... This figure will never grow into a aouble aigit ana vou can trust
me.
But Mr. Ramoji Rao never trusted me. Finally the members, who had leIt
the party were only six...they were: Mr. Jana Reddy, Mr. K.E. Krishna Murthy,
Mr. Vasantha Nageswara Rao, Mr. Budda Vengalareddy, Mr. D. Ramachandra
Reddy and the speaker Mr. Narayana Rao... During the entire course oI the whole
episode, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had been silent.
II those eIIorts were not made, the unscrupulous elements would have
removed Mr. Rama Rao on that day itselI. Since then, he nurtured conIidence in me.
Three months later and in a surprise move, he expanded the cabinet in which I was
also accommodated along with Mr. B.V. Mohana Reddy and Mr. B. Satyanarayana
Irom Nizamabad. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who was helpless, tried his level best to
see that a less important portIolio like the Small
Scale Industries was allotted to me. He Iurther
went on arguing that it was a very important
ministry. But, Mr. Rama Rao did not pay any
heed to his suggestion-like argument. Had I
been allotted a ministry oI Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu`s choice, I would have outrightly
reIused. However, I became the Minister Ior
Medical and Health once again.
75
Nallapureddy Srinivasulu Reddy was a senior member next
to Mr. Rama Rao. That happened to be the sound reason Ior
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu to conspire against him. He was very
keen on sending him out oI the party on a pretext or the other. As part oI his political
conspiracy, he got the MLAs oI Gudur and Naidupet oI Nellore district into his Iold
and tempted them with oIIers oI ministries. He set a precondition Ior that also... II
they wanted to become ministers, Mr. Srinivasulu Reddy oI the same district had to
be sent out... So, those MLAs, who were with Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, started
levelling allegations against that senor member.
They had gone to the extent oI reporting their allegations in writing to
Mr. Rama Rao. That particular day, I what I beholded in the party oIIice at Gandipet
was...pathetic sight Mr. Srinivasulu Reddy was seated Iacing Mr. Rama Rao and the
members oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu group started darting questions. Being a
gentleman Mr. Srinivasulu Reddy had a to ungergo a very bad experience, answering
them in a hapless situation. It seemed like the party`s court marshal. With that unpleasant
experience, he got dejected, submitted his resignation and leIt the party. Later, when
he toured the entire state, he campaigned against the TDP.
~.~.~~ ~~ ,

1be court coses oj

Mr. 0rooomroju 5otyoooroyooo
ood tbe sbootiog oj R1k's ji/m
viswomitro' were we//-koowo
to tbe peop/ e oj Aodbro
Prodesb. Io Moy, 1989, oootber
Mobooodu' wos p/oooed,
wbicb Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu
did oot /ike ot o//.

76
The court cases oI Mr. Dronamraju Satyanarayana and the shooting oI
NTR`s Iilm Jiswamitra` were well-known to the people oI Andhra Pradesh. In
May, 1989, another Mahanaau was planned, which Mr. Chandrababu Naidu did
not like at all. How so ever, might have been his Ieelings, I successIully conducted the
conclave at the Nizam College Grounds in Hyderabad. It was named as Kranti
vatra. The total organisational expenditure was Rs. 15 lakh. Leaving apart, I handed
over Rs. 35 lakh as party Iund to Mr. Rama Rao.
Meanwhile, BoIors scandal turned out to be a major issue oI national
importance and protests, which led to the resignations oI all MPs oI the National
Front...In view oI that strange developments, elections to Parliament became inevitable
in 1989. Mr. Rama Rao also decided to hold elections to the Assembly along with
that oI Parliament.
At that time...a malicious propaganda carried against me was...that I
was solely responsible Ior those earlv elections. But, Mr. Rama Rao Ielt iI elections
were held separately twice within six months, it would be very diIIicult to meet huge
expenditure Ior holding elections and carrying out the electioneering tasks. That was
the reason Ior him to dissolve the Assembly and seek the mandate aIresh.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
77
EANWHILE, another unpleasant incident occurred...! It was
the death oI my Iather...!! On that day, I was travelling by
train to Ongole, which reached Vijayawada at 4 am. Somebody
woke me up... I was surprised to see Mr. Aravinda Rao I.P.S., the then Commissioner
oI Police in Vijayawada |now IG, Intelligence|, standing out near my compartment.
As I was associated with him ealier, I just smiled on seeing him...but he
didn`t reciprocate. With a sorrowIul note, he conveyed me a bad news that my
Iather, Mr. Chenchuramaiah, was shot dead by some unidentiIied persons. He was
shot at the head with a revolver, he added.
I could not understand anything in the beginning, because I was dumbIound
and shocked to hear the news suddenly. The same train in which I travelled, passed
through Chirala, where I got down. My Iather`s body was kept in Dr. Sadananda
Rao`s hospital there.
I was very much aggrieved, could not control myselI...and...in this context,
I am bound to narrate a Iew lines about my Iather...He was very pious, who was
quite against Iaction-Ieuds and political rows. Though he was sincere and active in
;~ . ., ~. .~~ . ~..~

I wos very mucb oggrieved, cou/d

oot cootro/ myse/j...ood...io tbis
cootext, I om bouod to oorrote o jew
/ioes obout my jotber...Be wos very
pious, wbo wos quite ogoiost joctioo-
jeuds ood po/itico/ rows. 1bougb be wos siocere ood octive io tbe
Coogress o/oog witb Mr. kosu 8robmoooodo keddi ood worked ot
vorious /eve/s, be joioed tbe 10P, wbeo it wos storted by Mr. komo
koo.

78
the Congress along with Mr. Kasu Brahmananda Reddi and worked at various levels,
he joined the TDP, when it was started by Mr. Rama Rao. Ever since he involved
himselI in various aIIairs oI the party Ior its all-round development.
He continued to be very active, till I was elected to the Assembly and
became the minister. ThereaIter, he was lending his helping hand Irom behind the
curtain. He was never connected with any incident that involved dalits at Karamchedu.
But, at village-level politics, he used to be with them... more over, he was in Chennai
and not in the village at that time.
Later, I came to know that because he belonged to a particular social sect
and closely related to Mr. Rama Rao...with some ulterior motive, the naxalites had
targeted and killed him. They knew pretty well that my Iather had no connection with
that incident. But, they had to carry out the orders oI their central leadership...That
way, I lost my Iather, who had been an asset to the party also.
Karamchedu is 16 km away Irom the coast and located on the banks oI the
Kommamuri canal...lush-green Iields all around creates serene atmosphere. There
have been no Ieelings oI antagonism or revenge among the people. During elections,
they exercise their Iranchise without any Iear or rigging...They promote no groupism
much less anti-propaganda.
Friendly ties are maintained in peaceIul atmosphere during pre and post
election periods. The eminent Iamilies in those days were oI Mr. Jagarlamudi
Kuppuswamy Chowdary |member oI Madras Province|, Mr. Yarlagadda
Ramanatham Babu |who had shipping business| and Mr. Daggubati Raghavaiah
Chowdary |my grandIather|.
Later, the Iamily oI Mr. Daggubati Ramanaidu gained prominence in Iilm
industry, while our Iamily in political arena...It was well-known that a request was
made to get the police case closed, which was earlier Iiled against Dr. Vijaya Kumar.
79
ET me elaborate here...one more incident...in which the selection
process oI candidates Ior the elections to Assembly in 1989
was involved. The selections were made in the party oIIice at
the Ramakrishna Cine Studios at Nacharam. Mr. Upendra, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
and I were sitting beside Mr. Rama Rao to help him out. The selection oI the candidate
Ior the Srikakulam constituency was taken up Iirst. In three days, probable candidates
were identiIied up to Nellore segment.
~.~.~~ ~~ ~ ,~.

Ij tbot orroogemeot wos moterio/ised ooe oj us sbou/d cootest

e/ectioos to Por/iomeot ood tbe otber jor tbe Assemb/y. Ro soooer
did I propose it tboo Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu reocted jovourob/y
ood to/d me tbot be wou/d cootest jor Por/iomeot seot, wbicb meoot
tbot I sbou/d cootest jor tbe Assemb/y... Cootrory to our mutuo/
ogreemeot, tbe oewspoper report projected Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu
os tbe coodidote jor kuppom.

80
Then the selection Ior Chittoor constituency was due. On the same day,
Eenaau published a news item reporting that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was the
TDP candidate Ior Kuppam constituency. I was really surprised at that...because,
there was an agreement between us six months ago in the background oI serious
diIIerences that caused avoidable embarrassment to Mr. Rama Rao. With a view to
avoiding that ugly situation I came out with an idea, when we were discussing at the
dining table on the Second Floor oI Mr. Rama Rao`s Abids residence.
I proposed that we should conIine ourselves to two independent segments
to promote party activities. Accordingly, iI one were to take care oI political aIIairs in
New Delhi, the other would be in the state to look aIter the party activities. That kind
oI demarcation oI areas would do good to the party also...I thought and suggested
the same.
II that arrangement was materialised one oI us should contest elections to
Parliament and the other Ior the Assembly. No sooner did I propose it than
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu reacted Iavourably and told me that he would contest Ior
Parliament seat, which meant that I should contest Ior the Assembly... Contrary to
our mutual agreement, the newspaper report projected Mr. Chandrababu Naidu as
the candidate Ior Kuppam. I met Mr. Rama Rao in the morning and narrated all what
we discussed six months ago.
On that particular day, the candidate Ior Chittoor had to be Iinalised. At
that juncture, I revealed my preparedness move to Parliament, iI Mr. Rama Rao
accepted. But, he maintained silence. An hour later, we sat Ior the selection process
again. Besides me, Mr. Upendra and Mr. Chandrababu Naidu were with Mr. Rama
Rao. When Chandragiri constituency in Chittoor district was taken up Ior
consideration, Mr. Rama Rao stopped Ior a while and looked at Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu. Immediately understanding the Ieelings oI Mr. Rama Rao, he expressed that
he would contest Irom Kuppam. When suggested that he could contest Irom
Chandragiri, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu reiterated that he wanted Kuppam seat only.
Mr. Rama Rao did not end there... he Iurther asked him whether he was
aIraid oI deIeat and iI so, he assured him that he would campaign Ior him at Chandragiri
and ensure his win. But still, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu insisted on his representation
Irom Kuppam. Then it was my turn...Mr. Rama Rao asked me to contest Ior the
Assembly seat. I was really surprised at the attitude oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu,
81
who conveniently set aside our oral agreement and appeared as iI nothing had
happened... During later days also his nature and attitude remained unchanged and
he behaved quite contrary to what all he spoke.
BeIore the elections, one more incident occurred,
which I would like to narrate here now... It was the birth
anniversary celebrations oI Mr. Devilal in New Delhi. On that
occasion, Mr. Mulayam Singh wanted to organise a big
meeting, and invite Mr. Rama Rao on behalI oI the National
Front. But, other stalwarts oI the ront were against it.
Mr. Mulayam Singh with the help oI the TDP leader in the
Lok Sabha, Mr. Madhava Reddy, came to me, met Mr. Rama
Rao, got his consent and went ahead with Iurther preparations.
Those who were against it |like Mr. Upendra|, tried
their best to prevent Mr. Rama Rao Irom attending the meeting.
But, Mr. Rama Rao as per his earlier commitment leIt Ior New
Delhi. Mr. Madhava Reddy and I also accompanied him. Early
in the morning at 5
0
clock, Mr. Mulayam Singh came to the
room, where Mr. Madhava Reddy and I were staying and told
us what all had happened. He also asserted that Mr. Rama Rao
would be the Prime Ministerial candidate oI the National Front
and not Mr. V.P.Singh.
He regretted that none cooperated Ior the meeting. Mr. Mulayam Singh
undertook a 15-day state-wide tour and mobilised crowd Ior the meeting. At 12
noon, the venue oI the meeting, the Rajpat Maidan wore a deserted look. And we
thought the meeting was an utter Ilop... A couple oI hours passed and to our great
surprise the Rajpat Maidan wore a Iestive look all oI a sudden with the presence oI
a thick crowd oI a million people. The meeting was a grand success. As misIortunes
would have it, the TDP got only two Parliament seats in the elections.
82
Rama Rao contested the elections oI 1989 Irom not less than
three Assembly constituencies... Tekkali, Hindupur and
Kalvakurthi. Owing to certain unIoreseen political
developments, the Telugu Desam Government was voted out oI power. So,
Mr. Rama Rao, who had lost Kalvakurthi seat, retained Hindupur and relinquished
Tekkali. The TDP entered the Assembly as the Opposition with only 74 elected
members, while the Congress captured 181seats and Iormed the government. Besides
Mr.Rama Rao, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and I were the members oI the legislative Assembly.
Two incidents worth quotable had happened... When the Assembly was in
session, I pointed out some irregularities that crept in, while calling Ior tenders Ior
Sriram Sagar Project oI Telangana, which was aided by the World Bank. The
government showed the rules ana regulations Ior the selection oI contractors.
Based on those, it started the process oI qualiIying only a Iew Iavourable to them.
The execution oI work to be allotted to contractors involved Rs.300 crore
with 7 packages... A heated discussion on the issue began in the Assembly. The ChieI
Minister, Mr. N. Janardhan Reddy, heard my objection, sharply reacted and replied
; .. ., ~ .

1be executioo oj work to be o//otted to

cootroctors iovo/ ved ks.300 crore witb 7
pockoges... A beoted discussioo oo tbe issue
begoo io tbe Assemb/ y. 1be Cbiej Mioister,
Mr. R. Jooordboo keddy, beord my objectioo,
sborp/ y reocted ood rep/ ied tbot wbeo
0r. 0ogguboti veokotesworo koo roised tbe issue
ood stroog/y orgued ogoiost suspected
irregu/orities, it wos possib/e jor tbose peop/e
to get iovo/ved io some.

83
that when Dr. Daggubati Venkateswara Rao raised the issue
and strongly argued against suspected irregularities, it was
possible Ior those people to get involved in some.
He Iurther announced that the relevant Iiles should
be kept beIore the Speaker and the opposition parties might
go and examine the same. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu,
Mr. Madhava Reddy and Mr. Vidyadhara Rao, who
vehemently argued against thetenaer episoae in the house
went to the oIIice oI the Speaker next day, leaving me behind,
examined the Iiles kept there and announced to the Press that everything was in
order and no irregularities were involved.
Having learnt about that incident a couple oI days later, Mr. Rama Rao
summoned Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and reprimanded him severely...saying that he
was mortgaging and selling the party away... he also came to know that the contractors
had paid a huge ransom to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu secretly.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
84
V.P.Singh ascended the throne as Prime
Minister oI India in 1991. The Bharatiya
Janata Party, extended its support externally.
Mr. Upendra secured a berth in the ministry. Veteran politicians like
Mr. Sharad Yadav and Mr. Ramvilas Paswan brought tremendous
pressure on the Prime Minister Ior implementation oI the Mandal
Commission`s recommendations, while the BJP took up the Rama Janma Bhoomi
issue to the Iore as an antidote.
Then Iollowed Mr. Advani`s Raah vatra, his arrest and Iinally withdrawal
oI support to the government by the BJP were the sequences oI incidents that leIt
midterm elections to Parliament inevitable in 1991.
During the course oI electioneering, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, who completed his
campaign in Visakhapatnam, proceeded to Sriperambudur in Tamil Nadu, where he
... . . .~.~ .~~

0uriog tbe course oj e/ectiooeeriog,

Mr. kojiv 6oodbi, wbo comp/eted bis
compoigo io visokbopotoom, proceeded
to 5riperombudur io 1omi/ Rodu, wbere
be wos ossossiooted by tbe octivists oj
tbe L11L.

85
was assassinated by the activists oI the
LTTE., while addressing an election
meeting. There were arson and riots
throughout the state resulting in destruction
oI public property.
Mr. Rama Rao, who established
the Ramakrishna 70 mm theatre as
embodiment oI art with his hard-earned
money was burnt and destroyed... Some
oI the city legislators added tins oI petrol
to blazing Ilames, which they had
personally brought with an ill-will.
The decorative replicas oI Rama, Krishna, Durvoaana, Bheema, Karna
ana Bhishma kept inside the theatre were burnt into ashes.
Mr. Rama Rao who became helpless, protested against those incidents...
and staged fast- unto-aeath at the Tankbund in Hyderabad. The compensation
Ior the property he had lost not at all reached him.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
86
successIully contested the midterm poll Irom Bapatla
parliamentary constituency. Well beIore Mr. Rajiv Gandhi`s
death, the TDP had won 14 out oI 18 Parliament seats Irom
the state with the help oI Iriendly parties... But aIter his death, the Congress won with
a big majority. Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, who was elected with a huge margin oI
votes against his nearest rival Irom Nandyal in the by-elections, became the Prime
Minister.
In view oI a Telugu man becoming the Prime Minister, Mr. Rama Rao had
not Iielded any candidate against him. That act oI Mr. Rama Rao was considered as
a great honour to Mr. Narasimha Rao. In the Lok Sabha, Mr. Vijayakumar Raju
who represented Narsapur parliamentary constituency, was elected as a party leader.
He had cordial ties with Mr. Narasimha Rao earlier.
During my tenure as an MP, I got a very rare opportunity to be one oI the
members oI the delegation, visited the United Nations to represent our country. And,
as Iortunes would have it, I addressed the General Assembly oI the UN...!
.,. .... ~,~.

As sooo os be become tbe

jioooce mioister io tbe
mioistry oj Mr. P.v. Rorosimbo
koo, 0r. Moomoboo 5iogb
brougbt io ecooomic rejorms
io o big woy. Liceoce koj' wos
gooe. kupee-vo/ue reduced
ogoiost mojor curreocies io
tbe wor/d, wbicb poved woy
jor exports. Import duties were rotiooo/ised witb oo otmospbere
becomiog cooducive to iodustrio/ists to stort oew uoits io tbe
couotry.

87
On that day, several members
Irom diIIerent countries spoke subject
Apartheia, Mr. Vajpayee who was
also a member, was to address the
Assembly on behalI oI India. When I
requested him to extend me that
opportunity, he generously consulted
oIIicials concerned and helped me, as
I was younger than he. Mr. Nelson
Mandela, the then representative oI South AIrica, spoke. Sitting beside those great
men, interacting with them and addressing an international Iorum...all those...I still
consider were God-given opportunities to me.
Meanwhile, Mr. Narasimha Rao inducted Dr. Manmohan Singh into his
cabinet as Finance Minister, who completed his term as Governor oI the Reserve
Bank oI India beIore joining PV`s cabinet.
As soon as he became the Iinance minister, he brought in economic reIorms
in a big way. Licence Raf was gone and rupee-value reduced against major currencies
in the world, which paved way Ior exports. Import duties were rationalised with an
atmosphere becoming conducive to industrialists to start new units in the country.
ReIorms entered in income tax, corporate tax and sales tax structures
encouraged payment oI tax by individuals as well as industries. Tax evasion was
reduced considerably. His exim policy encouraged many exporters.
At that time, I was moved by the way the economic reIorms were introduced
in the country. I started complementing Dr. Manmohan Singh Ior his exemplary eIIorts.
When I was a Member oI Parliament, I attended an interview conducted by
the Times of Inaia, in which I quoted if bv chance Dr. Manmohan Singh
becomes the Prime Minister, I want to foin his partv.
Immediately aIter that interview, Mr. Upendra met Mr. Rama Rao and placed
the newspaper`s clipping beIore him and quipped sir, please see how vour son-in-
law after becoming an MP is supporting the Congress policies as well as the
ministers. But Mr. Rama Rao took it lightly and did not ask me anything about it nor
did he ever talk about it in his liIe-time.
88
HE communal clashes in the old city oI Hyderabad
snowballed into a major controversy, owing to which
Dr. M. Channa Reddy was removed Irom oIIice as the ChieI
Minister. That led to the entry oI Mr. N. Janardhan Reddy in his place, which was
known to everybody. When he ruled the state, nepotism reigned supreme. He granted
permissions to his own men Ior starting 20 proIessional colleges like medical, dental
and engineering. As there was corruption at its` peak on that issue, I led an agitation
involving 32 youth and students associations together Ior which Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu was not Iavourable.
At that time there was a talk going round that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu,
who was in the Opposition along with some prominent persons were baited with
some medical seats out oI which they could make big money unlawIully. Day by day,
the agitation got intensiIied... Finally, we called Ior a state-wide bandh. It became
very diIIicult Ior us to keep all those 32 organisations under a thumb. Because along
with the CPI, the CPM and the youth organisations, there were radical bodies too
spearheading the agitation.
Just a day beIore the proposed bandh, I told all the activists strongly that
they should not indulge themselves in any acts oI violence in any part oI the city or the
. .,. .. .,.

Rext doy, o discussioo come up bejore Mr. komo koo ot tbe

Lxecutive Committee meetiog. Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu mode juo oj
tbe boodb, I orgooised ood beck/ed ot me
soyiog tbot oot eveo o siog/e bus wos
domoged or burot. Bis grouse ogoiost me
wos tbot I wos respoosib/e jor tbe cooduct
oj o peoceju/ boodb ood be oever expected
tbot tbe porticipoots wou/d vo/uoteer to
come jorword ood moke it o big success.

89
state. Much more than that no damage to government or public property should be
done...Not even the wind-screen oI buses should be splintered. The activists were
also told they should never bring pressure on shopkeepers to get their outlets closed.
What I conceived was...while protesting against the government, nothing should be
damaged and no one should sustain injuries...Unexpectedly, the bandh was a total
success not only in cities but also at mandal-level. Whoever participated, they did so
voluntarily. All newspapers reported that the state bandh was not onlv total but
also peaceful.
Next day, a discussion came up beIore Mr. Rama Rao at the Executive
Committee meeting. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu made Iun oI the bandh, I organised
and heckled at me saying that not even a single bus was damaged or burnt. His
grouse against me was that I was responsible Ior the conduct oI a peaceIul bundh
and he never expected that the participants would volunteer to come Iorward and
make it a big success. He could not digest my getting name and Iame being the leader
oI the agitation. What I could not understand about his attitude was... when the press
clearly came out with headlines reporting that the state bundh was total,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu dwelt deep and searched Ior a diIIerent meaning.
Though his strange attitudinal change oI behaviour drove me mad Ior a
while, still I argued that what more did he want to know about that bandh being a
member oI the Opposition...when people oI the whole state voluntarily observed it
and made it total and successIul. As he had been a violence-monger, he could not
tolerate a peaceIul bandh being organised at the state-level. He went to the extent oI
naming it as a Iailure and immediately called his henchmen, asked them get some
cans oI petrol and commanded them to get at least a couple oI buses burnt in city
limits. Alas! The police personnel thrashed those miscreants black and blue, who
were sent Ior burning buses at Musheerabad RTC Crossroads. Finally, neither were
the buses burnt nor the orders oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu carried out. Thus, he
became a disappointed soul at the
end. AI ter those incidents,
Mr. Janardhan Reddy in spite oI
having a majority in the Congress
Legislature Party was replaced
with Mr. Kotla Vijayabhaskara
Reddy as ChieI Minister.
90
URING oI the tenure oI Mr. Narasimha Rao as the Prime
Minister in 1992, Babri Mosque was Iully destroyed in
Ayodhya on December 6...which triggered resentment and acts
oI violence throughout the country. The TDP also decided to launch programmes
condemning the destruction oI that ancient holy place oI worship oI the Muslim
community. As an opposition party, the TDP was already organising weekly and
monthly agitations on some pretext or the other at mandal-level. During every such
occasion rasta-roko or bandh was organised as the lead programme. Whether the
cause was small or big, rasta-rokos and banahs were only mantra oI the
organisers. That kind oI an activity was used to be a cup oI tea to Mr. Chandrabau
Naidu being the General Secretary oI the party. On the contrary, even today I am
against organising rasta-rokos and banahs . Because, these will grossly aIIect the
people particularly small vendors, who sell vegetables, milk and other eatables...moving
~. , , ~.~

I proposed to Mr. komo koo tbot os port oj tbe

10P's reseotmeot over demo/itioo oj 8obri Mosque',
tbe octivists sbou/d p/oot trees o// o/ oog tbe
1ookbuod...botb sides oo tbe compuses oj
educotiooo/ iostitutioos ot moodo/ /eve/ ood
distribute pompb/ets oorrotiog bow tbe demo/itioo
oj tbe 8obri Mosque' took p/oce.

91
agricultural products including paddy to their Iields and generally patients going to
hospitals etc. II such agitations at mandal-level were continuously carried out, people
might revolt against the party...consequently, the party might lose its vote bank. In my
opinion, it would bring no harm, iI such activities were undertaken once in a couple oI
months or so and only iI exigencies warranted.
But, agitations on daily basis would do no good either to the government or
the political parties or the people being governed. Alternatively, our resentment could
be shown in several Iorms oI service activities like planting trees, cleaning roads
particularly that laid in Harijanwadas, conducting blood donation camps, distributing
milk and Iruits to ailing patients in hospitals and nursing homes besides organising
water tents during scorching summer. Similarly, I proposed to Mr. Rama Rao that as
part oI the TDP`s resentment over demolition oI Babri Mosque, our activists should
plant trees all along the Tankbund, both sides on the campuses oI educational
institutions at mandal level and distribute pamphlets narrating how the demolition oI
the Babri Mosque took place.
Additionally, meetings could be held to enlighten people with the Iacts and
their views be elicited, which should be published in the columns oI all newspapers
prominently. AIter detailing all my views, I was waiting Ior the word Irom Mr. Rama
Rao Ior implementation. As soon as I completed my version, Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu blindly opposed my proposal saying that ours was a political party and not a
charitable institution...thus he spilled violence in every word he uttered and wanted to
induce Mr. Rama Rao with his evil intentions. However, I went on with tree- plantation
programme at mandal level with the help oI the Telugu Yuvata activists and without
permission oI the party. With thorough preparedness oI the youth, I got the programme
successIully completed. Expressing the party`s resentment over the Babri Mosque
demolition, pamphlets were printed and distributed. The next day several newspapers
prominently Ieatured what all we did as a token oI our resentment. Mr. Rama Rao
was very much pleased. Similarly, blood donation camps were organised and cleaning
oI Harijanwadas were done very well on a large-scale with the help oI the Telugu
Yuvata.
Though Mr. Chandrababu Naidu opposed all those activities, which I had
organised once, he started implementing the same aIter he became the ChieI Minister.
But the new name what he gave Ior it was clean ana green. He widely publicised
by issuing full-page aas in newspapers.
92
.~.~ .~ .. ;
1992 when Prime Minister P.V.Narasimha Rao`s Government
became a minority, he sought the conIidence vote in Parliament.
In order to come out oI that crisis, Mr. Narasimha Rao needed
the support oI 10 more MPs. Naturally the Congress party started looking out Ior
those MPs, who could support the move. The leaders eyed on the TDP MPs. At
that time Mr.Vijayakumar Raju was the Iloor leader oI the TDP. He got elected Irom
Narasapur parliamentary constituency while, I was the deputy leader. Mr.Vijayakumar
Raju was a close aide oI Mr.Narasimha Rao.
The TDP was having 13 MPs in the Lok Sabha, among them eight or nine
were having parlevs with the Congress emissaries, it was reported. Meanwhile,
rumours started Iloating around...some rumour-mongers said that Mr.Rama Rao was
very angry with such happenings and there was a possibility to expose all the tainted
MPs |earlier 30 ministers were sacked by him at one stroke|. At this juncture , I
came to the Iore arranging a meeting oI all the TDP MPs at the central hall oI Parliament.
The MPs wanted a personal assurance Irom Mr.Rama Rao. On the same
day I booked a Ilight ticket to Hyderabad. While on my way to the airport, I received
a phone-call Irom an important person in the Congress party. He told me some MPs
oI the TDP were assembled at the house oI Mr. Thota Subba Rao, a TDP MP Irom
Kakinada. The caller also told me that all those MPs decided to send a letter to the
Speaker in support oI the conIidence motion.

As jor os I koew, Mr. 0peodro wos tbe key persoo

io tbis wbo/e episode. Ior sometime be wos very
mucb dissotisjied witb tbe porty, os be wos oot
gettiog proper importooce. Be drojted o /etter, wbicb
wos sigoed by seveo rebe/s. As per tbe ooti-dejectioo
/ow, ij 1/3 oj tbe toto/ members /ejt tbe porty, tbey
woo't come uoder dejectioo.

93
I was astonished at it. Immediately, I went to the house oI Mr. Subba Rao
and saw all the 9 MPs there. Among them Mr. MVS Murthy |Visakhapatnam|,
Mr.Bulli Ramaiah |Elur|, Mr.Balayogi, who became the Speaker oI the Lok Shabha
later, and Mr. Chowdary |Rajahmundry| were present. I started persuading them.
AIter a lot oI eIIorts, Mr. Ramaiah and Mr. Murthy changed their stand. Mr.Chowdary
remained undecided. On the second day, Mr.Chandrababu Naidu also appeared in
the scene. Mr. Balayogi was very close to him. So he could change his mind. At last
seven MPs decided to cross Iloor. That included the Rajahmundry MP. On the next
day Mr.Chandrababu Naidu`s name appeared in headlines oI all the vernacular dailies
in the state. In Iact he roped in only Mr.Balayogi.
As Iar as I knew, Mr. Upendra was the key person in this whole episode.
For sometime he was very much dissatisIied with the party, as he was not getting
proper importance. He draIted a letter, which was signed by seven rebels. As per the
anti-deIection law, iI 1/3 oI the total members leIt the party, they won`t come under
deIection. I came to know Iurther that all those MPs were paid Rs.50 lakh each.
AIter that, Mr. Rama Rao expelled Mr.Upendra Irom the party. I became the Iloor
leader oI the TDP Parliamentary Party.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
94
remember quite well that Mr. Upendra wrote in his book that
he had once introduced Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi to Mr. Rama
Rao at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi. As Iar as I
was concerned, I neither saw her physically nor talked to her personally. When I
contested the Assembly elections in 1985 Irom Parchur constituency, I was inIormed
by the party activists that a
couple Iolklore
|Harikatha| perIormers
by proIession approached
and told them that they
would campaign Ior me and
a vehicle was arranged Ior
them on their request. Later
during the Mahanaau
also the same couple
participated in cultural
programmes.

As tbot meetiog boppeoed to be tbe jirst ojter bis morroige,

Mr. komo koo cou/d bove je/t otberwise. 8ut I expected ood ossured
bim o seo oj crowd ot tbe veoue. As usuo//y, Mr. Cboodrobobu
Roidu did oot /ike tbot too. we were boviog /uocb ot tbe rest bouse
orouod 1 pm, wbeo Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu ioterveoed ood soid
tbot tbere wos bord/y ooy sigo oj peop/e moviog oo tbe roods. Be
jurtber odded tbot tbe meetiog wou/d goiog to be o big j/op-sbow.

95
When I enquired about them with the party workers, they replied that it
was the same couple, who had campaigned for me during elections. Days fleeted
into months... when she approached Mr. Rama Rao, sought his consent to write his
biography, developed a new relationship that led to her marraige with him at the
pilgrimage town of Tirupati...which was well-known to all.
At that time, I was in Vietnam with parliamentary delegation as a member.
I was telephonically informed about wedding. Then, there was a lull in the family and
the party... a few days passed. Later, Mr. Muddukrishnama Naidu reacted favourably.
The moment I landed from Vietnam, newsmen sought my views over that episode. I
told them that...the wedding affair had nothing to do with the party, because that
being purely a personal matter of Mr. Rama Rao... But, it was a well-known fact that
his family members remained opposed to his act.
Telugu film actor Mohanbabu frequently appeared during the shooting of
the film `Major Chandrakant'. He used to call Lakshmi Parvathi as `vadina' [elder
brother`s wife]. The film `Major Chandrakant' was a box-office hit running 100
days and a function was held at Tirupati to celebrate its` success. On the dais itself,
Mr.Rama Rao suddenly announced he was going to marry Lakshmi Parvathi.
Mr. Mohanbabu arranged to bring Lakshmi Parvathi to Tirupati. Later, he
recommended Lakshmi Parvathi for the post of deputy Chief Minister.
He used to maintain good rapport even with Mr.Chandrababu Naidu.
Mr. Mohanbabu invested Rs.1 crore in his `Heritage Food Industries Limited'.
When it started flourishing well, he was removed from the partnership for which act,
he used to grumble against Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. In 1995 when the rebel MLAs
assembled at Hotel Viceroy against NTR, he invited Tollywood Superstar Rajanikant
to Hyderabad and he talked in favor of Mr.Chandrababu Naidu.
There were no party programmes launched afresh for some time. In order
to break the ice, Mr. Rama Rao wanted that some kind of activities to be taken up.
One day...as a prelude, a meeting was organised in the party office. During the course
of discussion some of the bigwigs, who attended the meeting suggested him to hold a
massive public meeting.
96
Though Mr. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his displeasure against it, I
strongly Ielt and expressed that such a meeting was a must to read the pulse oI
people. II the meeting turned out to be a success, it could be assumed that people
had accepted the marraige oI Mr. Rama Rao with Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi and at the
same time that meeting itselI would culminate into a good programme Ior the party
also. Keeping the party aIIairs in mind, I went a step ahead oI my suggestion and said
that such meetings should be held in all three regions oI the state... Andhra, Telangana
and Rayalaseema...Mr. Rama Rao strengthened my contention with his acceptance
to what I proposed.
It was also Ielt that Iirst such meeting should be held in Rajahmundry. As
Mr. Chandrababu was not at all happy at that, he strongly opposed all proposals.
When he realised that nothing could be done, he made exit leaving all his
responsibilities, which ultimately Iell on my shoulders. Then, I leIt Ior Rajahmundry,
where I stayed Ior a Iortnight... I summoned the party leaders Irom Visakhapatnam,
East and West Godavari districts and held a meeting with them. I wanted them to
mobilise people Ior the ensuing public meeting. The venue oI the public meeting held
that day was the Government Arts College Grounds. In the morning Mr. Rama Rao
accompanied by Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and some Iollowers
disembarked Irom train at Rajahmundry Railway Station. As soon as he got down,
he enquired all about the arrangements made Ior the public meeting, response Irom
people and how would they reach the venue.
As that meeting happened to be the Iirst aIter his marraige, Mr. Rama Rao
could have Ielt otherwise. But I expected and assured him a sea oI crowd at the
venue. As usually, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu did not like that too. We were having
lunch at the rest house around 1 pm, when Mr. Chandrababu Naidu intervened and
said that there was hardly any sign oI people moving on the roads. He Iurther added
that the meeting would going to be a big Ilop-show. But, I politely asked him to wait
till evening. By the time we started the public meeting at 6 pm, whole oI Rajahmundry
became thickly crowded, which led to bottleneck all along the roads that led to
Kakinada oI East Godavari and Kovvur oI West Godavari. My expectations came
true. Mr. Rama Rao was very much pleased. However, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi was
not called on to the dais...instead she was comIortably accommodated in the Iront
row beneath the dais. The next day, we returned to Hyderabad. As Rajahmundry
meeting was a big success, Mr. Rama Rao decided to hold such meetings in Telangana
and Rayalaseema also. Nalgonda in Telangana and Kurnool in Rayalaseema were
97
identiIied as venues Ior the meetings. When the public meeting at Rajahmundry was
successIul, contrary to his calculations. Later, with the Iear that he would lag behind,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu attended all other meetings in his capacity as general secretary
oI the party.
However, I proceeded in my own way oI making all arrangements Ior public
meetings at both the places, where people in large members thronged the venues and
made those meetings also successIul. I too derived the satisIaction to the extend that
I had also contributed my mite Ior the success. Perhaps having personally seen the
public response, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi, could have devoloped a desire to protect
herselI and exhibit her existence. Hence, she prevailed upon Mr. Rama Rao to take
a decision and arrange a meeting exclusively Ior women. Nellore was announced as
the centre. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and I had argued that it would be very diIIicult
to mobilise only women Ior the meeting, because there were no DWAKRA groups
at that time. Even then, Mr. Rama Rao paid a deaI ear. I too sulked at making
arrangements. Local leaders were entrusted with the job. The meeting was
arranged...women attended in very small numbers...and thus, the meeting was a
miserable Iailure.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
98
LOSE on the lines oI the general public meetings, it was decided
to conduct a ryots` meet [Rvtu saaassu{ in Guntur. I proceeded
to Guntur to look aIter arrangements. It was a day beIore the
meeting and heavy Iog enveloped the city since early in the morning. Mr. Dhulipala
Veeraiah Chowdary, who was an MLA Irom Ponnur constituency, later a minister
and Iather oI the sitting MLA oI Ponnur, Mr. Narendra...played a major role in making
arrangements Ior the meeting.
AIter completing all works and while returning early in the morning, he met
with an accident and was killed on the spot. I was proIoundly grieved at his death.
Ponnur was one oI the segments in my parliamentary constituency.
He was responsible Ior Iixing the ceiling oI my electioneering expenditure at
Rs. 2.5 lakh on those days, during my election to Parliament. As a mark oI respect
and paying tributes to the departed leader, we wanted to put-oII the meeting to be
held the next day.
As all arrangements were made and wide publicities carried out already, it
became inevitable Ior us to conduct the meeting with a heavy heart.
;~ .~~ ~~., ...~

0uite cootrory to tbe joi/ure oj tbe womeo's meet

io Re//ore, tbe ryots' meet io 6uotur wos o greot
success beyood expectotioos. 1bot victory erosed tbe
jee/iogs oj joi/ure oj tbe womeo's meet. Bowever,
we deep/y mouroed tbe deotb oj Mr. veeroiob
Cbowdory ood je/t tbot tbe porty bod /ost oo octive
/eoder io 6uotur district. As o mork oj respect ood
poyiog tributes to tbe deported /eoder, we wooted to
put-ojj tbe meetiog to be be/d tbe oext doy.

99
Quite contrary to the Iailure oI the women`s meet in Nellore, the ryots`
meet in Guntur was a great success beyond expectations. That victory erased the
Ieelings oI Iailure oI the women`s meet. However, we deeply mourned the death oI
Mr. Veeraiah Chowdary and Ielt that the party had lost an active leader in Guntur
district.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
100
URING the bye-election oI Kurnool Lok Sabha constituency
|the sitting MP Mr. Kotla Vijayabhaskara Reddy tendered
resignation to take up the chieIministership | an interesting
incident had occurred owing to which Mrs. Renula Chowdary was expelled Irom the
party. For the electioneering Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi also joined Mr. Rama Rao. At
that time Mrs.Renuka Chowdary, who was already stayed in the guesthouse had a
riIt with Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi, which became the talk oI the town. I too participated
in that campaigining along with Mr. Chandarabu Naidu and cine artiste Mohanbabu.
When Mr. Rama Rao was holding an election meeting at Pattipadu,
Mr. Mohanbabu took initiative to the surprise oI all and compared Mrs. Lakshmi
Parvathi with legendary Sita and Mr. Rama Rao as Lord Rama and himselI as Lakshman
announced in the mike and urged Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi to come on to the dais.
Until then she was kept waiting in the car without being accommodated on the dais.
Mr. Mohanbabu`s hasty` act pushed Mrs. Renuka Chowdary and Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu into utter surprise. That caused the riIt between Mrs.Renuka Chowdary and
Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi inside the guesthouse. They reached Hyderabad as soon as
the campaigning was over and the Press Ieatured the incident very prominently.
All these developments led to the expulsion oI Mrs. Renuka Chowdary
Irom the party. AIter that incident, Mr.Chandrababu Naidu provoked Mrs.Renuka
Chowdary to come down heavily on Mr. Rama Rao. An intolerant NTR summoned
~.~.~~ ~~ . ~ ./., ,~.

Mr.Cboodrobobu Roidu provoked

Mrs.keouko Cbowdory to come dowo beovi/y
oo Mr. komo koo. Ao ioto/eroot R1k summooed
tbe porty's discip/ioory octioo committee ood
discussed tbe motter. Mr.Cboodrobobu Roidu,
wbo wos tbe geoero/ secretory obstoioed but
kept oo provokiog Mrs. keouko Cbowdory.

101
102
Siva Reddy, legislator Irom Jammalamadugu constituency...a
Iew minutes beIore getting killed, visited my house at Road
No:13, Banjara Hills to discuss some matters relating to his
constituency. He came to attend a marriage at Satvasai Nigam, a wedding-hall.
For the reasons best known to him...he was in some doubts and asked his guards,
who were around 10 in number to stay back at my place.
He proceeded in a Maruti 800 that belonged to Mr. Kala Venkata Rao
|who was also present in my house at that time|, to attended the marriage. AIter the
marriage was over and when he was about to get himselI into the car, his rivals
attacked with bombs and killed him on the spot. Had he taken those security guards
~.~. .~~.~ . ;

0o tbe occosioo oj 0r. 8obo 5obeb 8.k. Ambedkor Joyootbi oo

Apri/ 14, 1993, Mr. Rorosimbu/u iovited me to A/er jor iosto//otioo
ceremooy oj Ambedkor stotue. Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu group stroog/y
opposed my porticipotioo. 8ut sti//, I otteoded io tbe meetiog witbout
tbe permissioo jrom seekiog porty.

103
with him, it could have been diIIicult Ior his rivals to attack. Alas! He was no more
and I represented the party Ior his last rites at Jammalamadugu.
BeIore elections were held in 1994, there was an allegation against
Mr. Venugopalachari...It was that he had collected Iunds Irom some employees on
assurance that their jobs would be made permanent. When that report reached the
party, Mr. Rama Rao, who became emotionally angry, suspended him Irom the party
on corruption charge. In the political circle oI Adilabad district, Mr. Venugopalachari
was branded as a man belonged to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu group.
But, as per inIormation I collected...I believed that he was a strong candidate
Ior Nirmal constituency...I rushed to Adilabad, prepared a Iavourable note and
immediately handed it over to Mr. Rama Rao, who revoked suspension selected him
as the candidate Ior the Assembly poll Irom Nirmal. Later, he contested Ior Parliament
and became the minister also...Though he belonged to the group oI Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu, I had encouraged him on grounds oI his strength as a party candidate...My
attitude needless to say, reIlects my policy towards the party.
Mr. Motkupalli Narasimhulu contested elections as an independent candidate
and won. Mr. Madhava Reddy, Mr. Sukhendra Reddy and some upper caste people,
who belonged to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu`s group in the district were dead against
him. In the light oI the aspects, what I thought was none Irom Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu group could exercise any eIIort to get Mr. Narasimhulu reappointed into the
party.
So, I took initiative to do that in the interest oI the party. On the occasion oI
Dr. Ambedkar Jayanthi on April 14, 1993, Mr. Narasimhulu invited me to Aler Ior
installation ceremony oI Ambedkar statue. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu group strongly
opposed my participation. But still, I attended the meeting without seeking permission
Irom the party.
Immediately, the supporters oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu approached
Mr. Rama Rao and lodged a complaint against me that I had participated in anti-party
activities and wanted him to expel me Irom the party. But, Mr. Rama Rao was very
generous and stood by me...! Later, Mr. Narasimhulu was readmitted into the party,
subsequently inducted into the cabinet also.
104
HE agitation against selling liquor, which started at a small village.
Dubagunta in Nellore district slowly spread to all other areas
in the state. The management oI Eenaau supported the
agitation by preparing a Ilag, an agenda and widely publicising the cause oI the agitators
in the columns oI the newspaper.

I wos olso one omong those, who trovelled olong wIth Mr.
komo koo. As pesorottu-upmo' hoppened to be hIs jovourIte
Item jor breokjost...In every stotIon wherever the troIn
holted...hIs jons brought o smoll contoIner jull oj hIs jovourIte
eotobles prepored wIth pure ghee...! BoppIly eotIng thot kInd oj
stujj ot thot oge wIth o jeelIng thot hIs jons mIght jeel otherwIse,
Ij he dId not do so...slowly rejlected on hIs heolth.

105
Mr. Rama Rao was at IoreIront and
led the stir. Under his leadership, a novel and
enterprising method was chosen Ior the
agitation. He travelled Irom Tirupati to
Srikakulam by train, which was made to halt
at every station...people overcrowded at
platIorms and Mr. Rama Rao addressed
them...all became the part oI that agitation. In
the process the train reached Srikakulam 30
hours behind schedule. I was also one among
those, who travelled along with Mr. Rama
Rao. As pesarattu-upma happened to be
his Iavourite item Ior breakIast...in every
station, wherever the train halted...his Ians
brought a small container Iull oI his Iavourite
eatables prepared with pure ghee...! Happily
eating that kind oI stuII at that age with a Ieeling
that his Ians might Ieel otherwise, iI he did not
do so...slowly reIlected on his health.
Having been with him all along during that agitation I witnessed many similar
incidents on a number oI occasions. When elections were over, he regained power
as the ChieI Minister...signed the Iirst Iile on prohibition, which was well known. He
also implemented on that occasion, his poll promises like selling rice at Rs.2 a kg
under Public Distribution System throughout the state and allocated a horsepower
electricity at Rs. 50 to all Iarmers.
106
day aIter the election in 1994, I went to New Delhi. The
counting was not over then. I thought that it might take another
three days Ior the announcement oI results. According to my
own sources oI inIormation...I estimated that the TDP and the Iriendly opposition
parties combined would get not less than 250 seats...that was the same Iigure I
declared during the press conIerence.
I also analytically revealed district-wise Iigures. The very next day,
Mr. Krishna Rao, who was the Bureau ChieI oI the Anahra Prabha in New Delhi
published my analysis...When the results were out, my analysis tallied cent percent. It
reIlected my Ioresight and hold on the party in all districts.
The selection process oI probable candidates Ior the elections took place
in the house oI Mr. Rama Rao at Road No:13, Banjara Hills, when Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu and I were his aides. We three Iormed as panel. First day, Mr. Rama Rao
based on the inIormation he gathered, prepared, Iinalised and released a list oI 22
candidates without calling us.
Immediately, violence erupted at the party oIIices in a couple oI districts
protesting against the selection oI candidates. The agitators Ielt that the selection
.../ ~.~.~~ ~~

8ut, Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu wi//ju//y

cooceo/ed wbot o// boppeoed io tbe preseoce
oj Mr. komo koo, co//ed Mr. 0evioeoi komooo
to bis bouse ood to/d bim tbot be bod
worked very bord jor bis coodidoture,
persuoded Mr. komo koo ood mode bim
occept. Loter, wbeo Mr. komooo reveo/ed me
o// obout wbot bod boppeoed betweeo tbem,
I bod o beorty /ougb.

107
was biased. From the second day onwards both oI us were present with Mr. Rama
Rao Ior assistance. On the whole...most oI those candidates who were selected,
were as I suggested...Because, my inIormation about the probables almost matched
90 with Mr. Rama Rao`s.
The selection oI the candidate Ior Nandigama constituency turned out to be
a Iarce. Mr. Devineni Rajasekhar`s |Nehru| brother Mr. Devineni Ramana was
identiIied as the probable against the wishes oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who wanted
his own candidate to be selected Ior which he moved heaven and earth.
For his own convenience, he brought Iorward a proposal beIore Mr. Rama
Rao that no relative oI any important leader in the party should be a candidate...His
main aim was that many oI my Iollowers should not get party ticket to contest elections
anywhere in the state. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu`s nefarious thought coupled with
cooked plan stood against the selection oI my staunch Iollowers like Mr. Mahendra
Reddy, President oI Telugu Yuvata oI Ranga Reddy district |nephew oI Mr. Indra
Reddy| Ior Tandur, Mr. Yerra Satyam |brother oI Mr. Chandrasekhar| Ior Jadcharla
in Mehbubnagar district, Mr. Ramamurthy Naidu in Chittoor district, Mr. Bhuma
Nagireddy |son-in-law oI Mr. Subbareddy| in Kurnool district, the brother oI
Mr. Kala Venkatrao in Srikakulam, Mr. Ramana |brother oI Mr. Rajasekhar| Ior
Nandigama in Krishna district and many more.
II his proposal materialised, both oI us also should not get the party ticket,
as we were related to Mr. Rama Rao. On that day when there was a discussion
against Mr. Ramana, his Iollowers resorted to violence at Mr. Rama Rao`s house.
During the day`s meeting and aIter violence, Mr. Rama Rao threw a list which he
prepared based on his own inIormation, on Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and said, 'See'
As per mv own sources of information, Mr. Ramanas name has been incluaea
as one of the probables, but now vou suggest someone else from vour
followers...because of which all these aamages, have occurrea. Having
repremanded him, Mr. Rama Rao selected Mr.Ramana as the candidate Ior
Nandigama, who became a minister and later was killed in a train mishap.
Even today I recall his services rendered to the party. Out oI my
encouragement during the public meeting held in Rajahmundry, he brought hundreds
oI vehicles to mobilise a large number oI people. And in his own constituency, whenever
public meetings were held, he worked Iull-time and used to be at IoreIront to mobilise
huge crowds. But, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu willIully concealed what all happened in
108
the presence oI Mr. Rama Rao, called Mr. Ramana to his house and told him that he
had worked very hard Ior his candidature, persuaded Mr. Rama Rao and made him
accept. Later, when Mr. Ramana revealed me all about what had happened between
them, I had a hearty laugh.
However, Mr. Ramana well-understood all hidden Iacts behind that episode
Irom me. That was a technique Mr. Chandrababu Naidu adopted regularly in party
matters. He opposed many aspirants inside. But, sensing that their candidature was
conIirmed, he got himselI elevated by asking his Iollowers to inIorm the aspirants that
he was alone responsible Ior getting the party ticket Ior them.
For me, rightly identiIying the party activists, who worked with dedication
and trying to get seats Ior them was my policy... I never played gimmicks as
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu used to do. Later, when most oI the MLAs revealed me
what Chandrababu Naidu had told them, I was driven to utter surprise.
My only aim was that people...who worked sincerely during the days oI
hardtimes oI the party, should get selected...even though they happened to be very
close Iriends or aides oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu! There was hardly any occasion,
when I raised my objection during selection process oI such candidates. I always
proposed the candidates...keeping in my mind, their winning chances...because winning
the election was a predominant thing Ior me.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
109
Mohanbabu, Iilm actor, proposed two candidates...
Mr. Krishnam Raju |Producer oI Sri Ramaaasu| Ior
Kakinada and Mr. T. Srinivas Yadav |became the minister| Ior
Secunderabad. In the interest oI those candidates, he wrote to me and talked over
phone. Probably he might have told Mr. Chandrababu Naidu also the same...but he
did not bring the matter to notice and simply kept quite.
But, I said that it was not possible to give the party ticket to Mr. Krishnam
Raju sidelining Mr. Gopalakrishna, who was an MLA Irom Kakinada, who strived
Ior strengthening the party aIter the public meeting in Rajahmundry. However, in
order to honour Mr. Mohanbabu`s request, I endorsed Mr. Srinivas Yadav candidature
Irom Secunderabad.
But...Mr. Chandrababu Naidu proposed someone else in his place. Finally,
Mr. Rama Rao besides accepting my proposal conIirmed the ticket. In spite oI the
Iact what all had happened, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu as usually emerged out and in
his own style told Mr. Mohanbabu that he got Mr. Srinivas Yadav selected Ior
Secunderabad.
There was a big Iuror regarding Ponnur seat. When someone was proposed
in the place oI Mr. Dhulipala Narendra, sitting MLA, I Iought hard Ior his candidature
in honour oI Mr. Dhulipala Veeraiah Chowdary, who rendered yeoman services to
~~.., ~ .~, ~

Mr.Cboodrobobu Roidu proposed someooe e/se.

Iioo//y, Mr. komo koo besides occeptiog my proposo/
coojirmed tbe ticket. Io spite oj tbe joct wbot o//
bod boppeoed, Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu os usuo//y
emerged out ood io bis owo sty/ e to/ d
Mr. Moboobobu tbot be got Mr. 1. 5rioivos Yodov
se/ected jor 5ecuoderobod.

110
the party till he breathed his lost. At one stage it became inevitable Ior me to Iield
Mr. Narendra as an independent. When the people oI Ponnur constituency revolted,
his candidature was conIirmed at last. The list oI candidates selected Ior 1994 elections
could stand as testimony oI my contentions and claims oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
One more incident has to be narrated here...It was about situation leading
to seat-sharing with like minded parties. Initially, the adjustment with the CPM was
Iinalised with the allotment oI 18 seats to that party. But, in respect oI the CPI,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had otherwise opinion and wanted to see that there could
not be any kind oI adjustment with it.
Moreover, the CPI leaders demanded 21 seats...which was more than the
demand oI the CPM. In view oI that reason, seat-sharing with the CPI could not be
materialised. So...the selection and Iinalisation oI the TDP candidates in the segments
the CPI commenced. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu began making quick moves to see
that the list was released by that evening itselI.
That meant the TDP was all set to Iield its own candidates in all places,
where the CPI also wanted to do. Having observed that strange situation, I met
Mr. Puvvada Nageswara Rao and Mr. Dasari Nagabhushanam in the house oI the
CPI leader...Mr. Srinivasulu Reddy, where they were present in connection with a
marriage.
I told them about the changed political scenario and made them rush to
Mr. Rama Rao with a clear appeal to accept whatever could be the decision oI
Mr. Rama Rao. However, I was also present at that time, convinced Mr. Rama Rao
and persuaded him to agree Ior 19 seats to the CPI...just a seat more than the seats
allotted to the CPM. Later, I told Mr. Rama Rao that out oI 19, the CPI would Iield
their candidates only in 18 constituencies and Markapur being 19
th
...a dummy
candidate would be Iielded in order to strengthen the winning chances
oI the TDP candidate Mr. Janke Venkata Reddy. So, it was
apparent that the CPI was allotted 19 seats but as per internal
agreement, Mr. Venkata Reddy was Iielded as an independent and
with the eIIorts oI the CPI, he got elected. II that kind oI adjustment
was not possible, the CPI could have won less number oI seats
and lost in the state. Later, the CPI leaders expressed their gratitude
to me.
111
NOTHER ugly thing was that when Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
knew that candidates he proposed couldn`t get the party ticket,
he simply asked them to approach Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi and
try their luck through her. Sometime later, she seemed to have expressed her Ieelings
that those who became MLAs that way...Iell Ilat on her Ieet to become ministers and
back-stabbed her issuing viliIication statements.
To quote another incident let me recall that whenever Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu Ieared that the people whom he recommended could not get party ticket, he
used to rout them through Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi. Later, she out rightly blamed that
those who prostrated down on her Ieet Ior securing MLA seats and became ministers,
the same people backstabbed her by issuing controversial Press statements.
Even beIore her marriage oI NTR with Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi, it was
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who levelled serious allegations in the presence oI NTR
against Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi that she had illicit contacts` with some people and
also asserted that he knew who there were.! Among them were, the security oIIicer
oI NTR and a son oI Mrs. Vijayalakshmi, the resident oI Chikkadpalli | BeIore her
marriage, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi used to stay in her house.| Mr. Rama Rao asked
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu to prove his allegations and also personally summoned the

Lveo bejore ber morrioge oj R1k witb

Mrs. Loksbmi Porvotbi, it wos Mr.
Cboodrobobu Roidu, wbo / eve// ed
serious o//egotioos io tbe preseoce oj
R1k ogoiost Mrs. Loksbmi Porvotbi tbot
sbe bod i//icit cootocts' witb some
peop/e ood o/so osserted tbot be koew
wbo tbere were...!

112
two suspects and inquired about it.Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi, while writing NTR`s
political liIe in her book Telugutefam, clearly mentioned about this.
Lakshmi Parvathi in the pages 204, 205 and 206 oI the same book mentioned
the compromise eIIorts oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu in 1994 on the same issue and
sought her blessings. He cleverly told the Iamily members oI NTR only about his
diIIerence with Lakshmi Parvathi but voluntarily withheld the inIormation regarding
his truce with her to enjoy her blessings. As the Iacts were not known to the open
society, I herby publish the excerpts Irom those pages in tact:
From the pages of 'Telugutejam` [204, 205, 206 and 207|: NTR
launched his electioneering along with his wiIe . Just a day prior to their departure,
Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi received a phone-call Irom Mr. Ramachandra Rao, advocate.
She liIted the receiver and spoke : What brother.what`s the news.whether sister-
in-law and you are coming to Srisailam.? He replied that as he very busy, he was
not coming.I shall ask you a thing, can you do it without sulking.? She replied that
iI she could, certainly she would.! Fine, let me know that.she said.!!
Nothing.your son-in-law would like to meet you and seeks your appointment.!!!
Surprisingly she enquired which son-in-law.Ior which Mr. Ramachandrara Rao
replied that it was her younger son-in-law.
Till then Mr. Chandrababu Naidu never had a personal talk with her.such
a person seeking her appointment on his own, made her happy on one hand and Iear
on the other. But her only Iear was that iI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu met her in the
absence oI NTR, what would he think oI her.he kept Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
away and why should Lakshmi Parvathi speak to him.with all these Iears, she Ielt
that a wonderIul opportunity knocked the door and with that she could be within the
proximity oI NTR Iamily.
Next day, when NTR leIt Ior oIIice, Mr.Chandrababu Naidu came along
with Mr. Ramachandra Rao.Mr.Ramachandra Rao sat in the oIIice, while the
mother-in-law and the son-in-law sand in varandah` oI the upstairs. They didn`t
know what to say Ior a while. It was Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who took the initiative
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu: You should Iorget the past.and.now I do
not have any diIIerence with you.I got convinced with you.
Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi: No Babu, I am least worried. I expect with
greater anxiety that you would understand the truth at anytime. That day why should
113
Vijayalakhmi tell lies against me beIore you , ask her once again.I didn`t commit
any mistake.and.made a holy entry in your Iather-in-law`s liIe. Her issues are
hers.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu: I do not remember all those things.some
people with selIish attitude level allegations like that.you do not worry over those.
I don`t have them in my mind, too.I respect you along with him.
Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi: Very happy Babu, I have been expecting Ior the
day like today.to be nearer to this Iamily is my concern. II we all mingle, he can be
at peace and get his health restored to any extent.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu: That`s what I am also thinking about.I shall
try to convince them.beIore that elections are due.and.the Press highlight
according to their whims and Iancies that we have diIIerences among ourselves. At
this juncture, we have to put up a united Iight, other wise it would be diIIicult Ior us to
win the elections.
Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi: Babu, whether it`s son or son-in-law.it`s you
alone. I do not know anything about political issues. I just remain as a mistress Ior
him. Do not misunderstand me.tell me what should I do now.!
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu: Nothing.aIter the Kurnool bye-elections, he
is very angry with me. Since inception, I worked Ior the party Ior 20 hours a day.now
keeping me at bay means I should go back to Chittoor and look aIter my business,
which is also not so well.
Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi: Why that situation.? I had put in a good
word about you in the past with him.even now I am prepared Ior the same, iI you
Ieel it necessary. But you must understand me well.I haven`t come here Ior power.
He has a lot oI misapprehension about you.you have to clear them oII and prove
that you`re trust-worthy. You Iirst give me a word that you would do no harm to him
as long as he survives.and.you swear this on your son | Extends her hand|.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu without any hesitation promised her by clubbing
his hand on hers. She became light-hearted.She assured him that she would talk to
his Iather-in-law and see that they are united. That session ended with that there. He
also leIt the place by easing his heart very much. ThereaIter NTR returned Irom
oIIice in a couple oI hours. But Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi Ielt like her heart racing. How
to tell him about the session she had with Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.how would he
114
react, iI she didn`t reveal, then it would her gross mistake.all these were her
perceptions.
While Ieeding him the meal, she gradually raised the issue. Your son-in-law
came and had a talk with me. Hmm.he added with a majesty.! ThereaIter she
lacked courage.AIter the meal, he had a sleep Ior a while.and.when he woke
up, he asked her.who`s that.is he Chandrababu.?
Yes.he is, she replied
Why so.have you become so good all oI a sudden, he roared with an
anger in his throat...Thinking that it`s no more useIul, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi sat
beside him and said : You see, elections are round the corner.Press make a Iun oI
our Iamily everyday, as they like.at this situation, we have to make our own
adjustments.Aren`t we elders anyway.?`
So.you mean to say that we must make compromises, even Ior many
mistakes they committed...? What`s the injustice we did aIter all.??`
Leaving apart justice and injustice, you just think about me. I entered your
liIe much against the will and wishes oI your Iamily members. Whatever happens,
they enjoy the sympathy oI outsiders. They also make a hill out oI a small mole.please
understand.and.my position is very precarious. II he leaves politics, the whole
world will curse me only. Everyday will become a hell Ior me. When children
commit mistake, elders do Iorgive them.won`t they.`she said politely.
No Lakshmi, you do not know anything.iI you say that there are problems
in the Iamily, we can set them in order. But.this is politics.leaving apart my liIe,
I entered the politics.I gave them opportunity, because they are mine. II I am
backstabbed every moment like this how should I tolerate.? My wedding with
you is my personal aIIair, which none can question. But, iI he goes on cheating me in
the party like this.how long should I keep quiet..` he expressed in agony.
Leave all those things.just Iorgive this time.he swore on his son that he
would be totally trust-worthy to you.`
NTR Ielt pity on her innocence. Oh lunatic, what do you know about
politics..? You presume that all that`s white is milk.but he not like that.but a
veteran, the other way round.iI given an opportunity, he will catch hold oI hair-
strings to get it bent. See.levelling so many allegations against you and yet came to
115
you without sulking means.that`s his political will. He will stoop down to prostrate
and pull oII the carpet beneath the legs. You just understand, why am I narrating all
these.even while, why should you bother about others without thinking about
yourselI.` he said with a lot oI concern.
You see.my good got merged with that oI yours.aIter my marriage
with you, iI any loss occurs to you, it me who should be much worried.am not
I.so, please Iorgive him once now.` she said pleading with him.
NTR sharply looked at her Iace Ior a couple oI seconds.and said.`Oh
unsound-minded, by Iorgiving him nothing good will happen to us.but.only
losses.iI you Ieed a snake with milk, what will happen.? It will bite back.that`s
his nature.` he elaborated.
Finally, the stalemate ended.she was able to unite the Iather-in-law and
the son-in-law.but no newspaper reported her initiative and good reconciliatory
move.
During the election campaigning in 1994, Mr. Rama Rao boarded
Chaitanva Raaham as usual. That was when Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi accompanied
him Ior carrying out the propaganda. As I was a parliamentarian at that time, I could
not participate in the electioneering.
116
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu distributed money to all those, who were Iavourable
to him. Mr. Rama Rao himselI had disclosed it to Gemini TJ during the course oI
his interaction inDharmapeetam programme. Totally, more than 250 seats were
won along with the CPM and the CPI. Mr. Rama Rao once again became the ChieI
Minister oI Andhra Pradesh.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
117
NCE , I accompanied Mr. Rama Rao Ior the Telugu
Association Ior North America |TANA| conIerence in the US
in July, 1993. We visited St.Louis city beIore the meetings were
held in New York. The reason behind our visit was to get Mr. Rama Rao medically
examined on health grounds and some clinical tests done to Iind out exact quantum oI
Ilow oI blood to his brain.
Such tests were not done in India those days. Even in the US., most modern
health-care diagnostic system was established only in St. Louis. And, on insistence oI
Dr. Kaja Rama Rao and Mr. Rajendraprasad, who were very coordial and aIIectionate
to Mr. Rama Rao, we went there. He set aside the speech written Ior him and
addressed the TANA meetings on his own.
On earlier such occasion also, when he had been to the US., he addressed
the Telugu people there, appealing them to return to India and start industries.
Subsequently, quite contrary to his principle, he asked them to stay back there and
bring name and Iame to the Teluguites. The President oI the TANA, Dr. Narasa Raju
|now the Chairman oI NRI Hospital at Chinakakani, near Mangalagiri|, made him
establish the World Telugu Federation with Telugu people, who represented diIIerent
continents oI the world. At present...Mrs. Indira Dutt is the Chairperson oI this
Iederation. When Mr. Rama Rao became the ChieI Minister in 1994, he
, . _./

wbeo Mr. komo koo become tbe Cbiej Mioister

io 1994, be occommodoted oo/y 9 members io
bis cobioet...Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu wos
eotrusted witb tbe Mioistry oj Iioooce ood
keveoue...tbe most importoot portjo/io. 8ut bis
jo//owers /ike Mr. Modbovo keddy, Mr. vidyodboro
koo ood Mr. 0eveoder 6oud were oot tokeo ioto
tbe mioistry ot o//.

118
accommodated only 9 members in his cabinet...Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was
entrusted with the Ministry oI Finance and Revenue...the most important portIolio.
But his Iollowers like Mr. Madhava Reddy, Mr. Vidyadhara Rao and Mr. Devender
Goud were not taken into the ministry at all.
Somedays passed...One day, I met him at the Secretariat during the lunch-
break and purposeIully brought beIore him the topic oI the cabinet expansion.
I proposed that Mr. Madhava Reddy, Mr. Vidyadhara Rao and a Iew others should
be considered. I made him recollect that while being in the Opposition Ior Iive-long
years, they were at IoreIront during agitations carrying out the party matters and they
were the same members, who strongly criticised and argued against anti-people
policies oI the ruling party.
Hence, I thought and clariIied that it was not a good tradition to ignore
those people, who worked Ior welIare oI the party. Further, I said that it was our
duty to send signals that whoever worked, could be recognised. Mr. Rama Rao
expanded the cabinet immediately accommodating all whom I had proposed.
When Mr. Muddukrishnama Naidu was tipped to be the Speaker oI the
Assembly, he reIused and wanted to be a minister only...That paved the way Ior
Mr. Yanamala Ramakrishnudu to become the Speaker. Had Mr. Muddukrishnama
Naidu been the Speaker, Mr. Rama Rao could not have lost power. As days ticked
Iast, he decided to launch a new scheme. .. Prafalavaaaake palana
meaning...governance at doorstep oI the people. The idea behind the scheme
was...The ChieI Minister along with the Secretariat level oIIicials would camp districts,
stay overnight there, understand problems oI people and come out with appropriate
solutions on the spot.
119
invitation Irom the European Telugu Association |ETA|
Mr.Rama Rao along with some industrialists leIt Ior London.
During that tour...he was in safari and hat. I would like to
quote an incident that took place in Hyderabad, when the ChieI Minister was away
in London. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was looking aIter the government aIIairs.
Prohibition and health permits were in Iorce then.
One day, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu telephoned to Mr. Rama Rao, as though
heavens had Iallen...conducted a programme particularly to do away with health
permits. I did not know how it happened...OIIicials gave permission to a couple oI
distilleries. He got it published in newspapers, projected that one as a big issue, held
discussions telephonically with the ChieI Minister and got it cancelled.
In order to highlight himselI, well he got that incident also published in
newspapers togive an impression that he was responsible Ior implementing prohibition
on war-Iooting. The same Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, when he became the ChieI
Minister, outrightly said that it was not possible to implement prohibition and made
liquor openly available and sold through belt shops everywhere.
Being the leader oI the party in Parliament, I wanted to Iocus Mr. Rama
Rao in New Delhi politics. Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav became the ChieI Minister oI
Bihar aIter winning elections to the Assembly. He openly announced that it was possible

0o tbot porticu/or doy, Mrs. Loksbmi Porvotbi, wbo o/so

occompooied bim...brougbt o p/ote ju// oj eotob/es...ood storted
jeediog bim witb ber owo boods, uomiodju/ oj joct tbot tbousoods
oj iovitees were preseot orouod. wbot's more? It become sumptuous
jeost to every pbotogropber, wbo c/icked tbot uoooturo/ romootic
sceoe' ood corried tbem oo jroot poges oj o// /eodiog ootiooo/
doi/ies tbe oext doy...!

120
because oI Mr. Rama Rao`s initiative and help. In view oI it, we decided to hold a
meeting oI the National Front in New Delhi.
The meeting was convened at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, which was the
venue. Dr. M. Karunanidhi, Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde, Mr. Biju Patnaik,
Mr. Chandrasekhar, Mr. V.P.Singh, Mr. Ramvilas Paswan, Mr. Sharad Yadav and
Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav were prominent among those attended the meeting. There
was a press coverage at national-level. With re-commencement oI New Delhi politics,
the chances oI Mr. Rama Rao becoming the Prime Minister through next elections to
Parliament looked bright. AIter the meeting was over, Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav hosted
a dinner celebrating his becoming the ChieI Minister.
When we reached his house around 7.30 pm, there were more than 1,000
guests, who came Irom Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. The dinner was arranged
on the lawns oI open lounge. It was natural Ior Mr. Rama Rao to spend time relishing
a dish or two in such dinners, without completely having it.
On that particular day, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi, who also accompanied
him...brought a plate Iull oI eatables...and started Ieeding him with her own hands,
unmindIul oI Iact that thousands oI invitees were present around. What`s more? It
became a sumptuous Ieast to the lensmen, who clicked that unnatural romantic
scene and carried them on Iront pages oI all leading national dailies the next
day...which gave an impression that Mr. Rama Rao could not use his hand and
depended on Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi.
121
I was very much pained...What we thought aIter the National Front
meeting in the aIternoon was...the Press would give prominence to Mr. Rama Rao as
the Chairman oI the National Front...with that old glory oI the Iront could be regained.
UnIortunately, the aeliberate ana hastv act oI Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi
erased all our hopes. With the publication oI those photographs in all leading national
dailies, we could easily imagine what opinion could people oI the country Iorm about
Mr. Rama Rao...they might eIIortlessly think that the would-be Prime Minister was
helpless to have his own Iood, Ior which he depended on Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi.
In case he could not...none oI his well-wishers would create such an ugly
scene in the presence a the large number oI guests. Instead, Mr. Rama Rao could
have been Ied separately or aIter returning home...But, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi`s
intension meant otherwise...She seemed to have been keen on showing the external
world the hapless aepenaence` oI Mr. Rama Rao on her.
How much damage she caused to the political career oI Mr. Rama Rao
with her acts oI omissions and commissions, did she ever know?
Je eae| ej te paqe...
122
May 1995, the election process to the Agricultural
Cooperative Central Bank commenced. The elections were
the prelude to some sensational changes in the state. The reason
behind was...primary elections were over Ior cooperative societies in various districts.
All those who were elected primarily would elect chairmen at district-level.
Mr. Rama Rao in his capacity as the ChieI Minister sent names oI district
chieIs in sealed covers to respective districts. The MLAs also enjoyed their rights to
vote. But what happened at that time was... deIying protocol oI the leadership, local
persons were elected as presidents in six districts in the place oI those persons,
whose names were sent in sealed covers.
A group oI 30 to 35 MLAs acted against the party directive and elected
others. A majority oI rebels were...the Iollowers oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who
included three ministers...Mr. Kadiyam Srihari,
Mr. Madhava Reddy Irom Nalgonda and Mr.
Nagesh Irom Adilabad. For that Mr. Rama Rao
expressed anger. On seeing him, I thought
something inevitable was going to happen.
I tendered a good piece oI advice that
all MLAs should be spared and only two out
oI those three ministers must be shown the

I teodered o good piece oj odvice tbot o// MLAs

sbou/d be spored ood oo/y two out oj tbose tbree
mioisters must be sbowo tbe doors. 1bot woy tbe bigb
order discip/ioe oj tbe porty cou/d be protected ood oo
jurtber octioo oeeded to be tokeo. Ajter doiog so, I
/ejt jor Rew 0e/bi.

123
doors. That way the high order discipline oI the party could be protected and no
Iurther action needed to be taken. AIter doing so, I leIt Ior New Delhi.
The very next day, I read in newspapers that 8 MLAs were suspended
Irom the party |oI them Iive belonged to Karimnagar district alone|, because they
elected Mr. Gandra Venkateswara Rao as the president ignoring Mr. Srinivasa Rao,
whose name was sent through a sealed cover. I thought that it would end there. But
two days later, Mr. Mogali Venkateswara Rao, a member oI the party disciplinary
committee Irom East Godavari district, announced that all the 35 MLAs were involved
in anti-party activities during the elections to the Agricultural Cooperative Central
Bank, but only 8 were suspended and the axe might Iall on the remaining MLAs also.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
124
HE real story started...that kind oI announcement added Iuel
to the Iire in sending Mr. Rama Rao out, who was touring
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts
popularising the programme governance at aoorstep of the people.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and some other ministers were there with him at that time.
While Ilattering him...they devised a political conspiracy against him.
With the help oI Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Mr. Tammineni Sitaram
Irom Visakhapatnam...Mr. Srihari, Mr. Madhava Reddy, Mr. Gopala Reddy and
Mr. Venugopalachari...started their own
activities making Hyderebad as the centre. All
the TDP MLAs were dialed up and more than
100 members were talked to. Everyone oI them
was told that he was in the suspension list and
asked them to rush to Hyderabad immediately.
Besides that...they were baited with some
~~~ .

Iirst, Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu cougbt bo/d oj Mr. 8o/okrisboo

jrom R1k jomi/y. I did oot koow wbot troospired betweeo tbem
ood wbot wos to/d to tbot ioooceot
moo. It seemed Mr. 8o/okrisboo
obrupt/ y /ejt sbootiog io
visokbopotoom ood come to
Byderobod. Be weot stroigbt to tbe
5ecretoriot ood sot ioside tbe
cbomber oj Mr. Cboodrobobu
Roidu. 1i// tbeo oo/y 20 to 30 MLAs
orrived. Mr. Borikrisboo wos burried/y cootocted oo pbooe ood
iojormed obout Mr. 8o/okrisboo's orrivo/.

125
gains ana ministries, which they won`t get, iI they continued to be with Mr. Rama
Rao. Though there were names oI only 35 MLAs Iigured in the suspension list, the
separatist group in Hyderabad told all the members individually that everyone was in
the list. Then crept the vicious thought in the minds oI most oI the legislators. They
arrived at a conclusion that to be with Mr. Rama Rao would Ietch them next to
nothing, preIerred to sail through all odds and evens with Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
and thought they could manage something or the other.
I was in New Delhi making phone calls to many. About 80 to 90 MLAs
had a talk with me. It appeared to me that in spite oI my detailed talk, they were not
prepared to hear anything more. With the shiIting oI the political scenario to Hyderabad,
the rival group MLAs` too reached there.
First, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu caught hold oI Mr. Balakrishna Irom NTR
Iamily. I did not know what transpired between them and what was told to that
innocent man. It seemed Mr. Balakrishna abruptly leIt the shooting in Visakhapatnam
and came to Hyderabad. He went straight to the Secretariat and sat inside the chamber
oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. Till then only 20 to 30 MLAs arrived. Mr. Harikrishna
was hurriedly contacted on phone and inIormed about Mr. Balakrishna`s arrival.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu also told Mr. Harikrishna that he was prepared to
go over there, iI he was unable to come. Though Mr. Harikrishna initially reIused,
started aIter the second phone call. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu constituted a committee
with Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Mr. S.V. Subba Reddy and Mr. K.E. Krishna Murthy.
That committee had put up certain demands beIore Mr. Rama Rao, who deeply Ielt
he was very much insulted and humiliated.
On the other side, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu telephonically contacted me,
when I was in New Delhi and requested Ior my help. Though I did not promise him
anything, I said that I was reaching Hyderabad. When I talked to the aissatisfiea
group oI MLAs Ior two days, what I could understand Irom their expressions was
that they tilted towards Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and there was hardly any use oI
talking to them Iurther.
126
HE moment I arrived at the airport around 40 MLAs
surrounded me. All oI them uttered the same thing... that I should
go to the Hotel Viceroy. I did not reply them, but reached my
house en route to Mr. Rama Rao`s. When I reached home, I saw Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu already sitting in the hall...I was told that Mr. Harikrishna and Mr. Balakrishna
too came to my house an hour ago.
,~./..~ ~. ~ ...

Boviog beeo poioed, sbe wos very

mucb io teors...! 5be requested me oot
to be ogoiost ber jotber...Mr. Joyosookoro
krisboo obused ood cursed
me...0omiodju/ oj o// tbose uojortuoote
ood uop/eosoot boppeoiogs, I /ejt jor
tbe Bote/ viceroy...!

127
Some more MLAs along with
the Principal Secretary, Dr. Jayaprakash
Narayan, Mr. Chalameswara rao |Now
the ChieI Justice oI Assam|, Mr. Ramesh
|Vijaya Electricals|, Mr. Durgaprasad
|IG., Intelligence| and the party secretary,
Mr. Bhujanga Rao were also there. As
soon as I came home, Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu and I were closeted in a room in
the upstairs without the presence oI anybody. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu narrated
what all had happened and requested me to come to Hotel Viceroy.
He expressed his desire to enjoy in dual posts...both as the ChieI Minister
and the party President. He also suggested that I should be the Deputy ChieI Minister
and Mr. Harikrishna, the General Secretary oI the party. AIter the discussion, we
came out oI the room. Mr. Chalameswara Rao, Mr. Ramesh and Mr. Harikrishna
together wanted to know the salient Ieatures oI our discussion. I revealed them
everything in detail...Immediately Mr. Harikrishna expressed his desire to become a
minister Ior which I replied that he could be the Deputy ChieI Minister, as I was not
interested in joining the ministry. I also requested them not to reveal anything to
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who went downstairs then...We too all came down.
At that point oI time...Mrs. Purandeswari was at the dining table. Seated
along with her were Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Mr. Durgaprasad and Mr. Bhujanga
Rao besides Mr. Jayasankara Krishna |the last son oI Mr. Rama Rao|. All oI them
were unanimous in requesting me against going to the Hotel Viceroy.
Mrs. Purandeswari having been pained...was very much in tears...! She
requested me not to be against her Iather. Mr. Jayasankara Krishna abused and
cursed me...UnmindIul oI those unIortunate and unpleasant happenings, I leIt Ior the
Hotel Viceroy...But, now I Ieel and repent...that was the most unpardonable...the
greatest and the biggest sin...I have ever committed so Iar in my liIe.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu with his expertise art oI concoction
was busy spreading Gobbles propaganaa that my wiIe had been encouraging me
since that day. But as I narrated earlier, the truth was Mrs. Purandeswari requested
me over and again not to do injustice to her Iather...the eyewitnesses to that incident
were: Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Mr. Durgaprasad and Mr. Jayasankara Krishna,
who were present there along with Mr. Bhujanga Rao |no more now|. As soon as I
128
leIt Ior the Hotel Viceroy, Mrs. Purandeswari leIt Ior Mr. Rama Rao`s house, which
was near by. The next day also...she spent most oI her time with her Iather...What
more evidence was required to prove that she did not take sides and encourage me?
Particularly on that day...Mr. Rama Rao seemed to have narrated
Mrs. Purandeswari painIully and with deeply agonised heart: 'Its okav...Mr.
Chanarababu Naiau ana Mr. Jenkateswara Rao who have been locking horns
against each other, foinea together at least to usurp this ola man out of power.
Your husbana is verv emotional ana innocent...Hell be maae to believe now
but finallv thevll make him a scape-goat...Let the partv be entrustea with Mr.
Harikrishna...then onlv, Mr. Chanarababu Naiaus true colours coula be seen.`
Je eae| ej te paqe...
129
ET me narrate another important incident. What the people oI
the state could not understand was, who were with whom in
Mr. Rama Rao`s Iamily and how they behaved individually.
The media was in Iavour oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and Mr.
Rama Rao`s sons had no connection with it at all...In Iact, they did not even know
how to overcome that riddle-like situation. Having known about everything, I have
the responsibility to make an open statement on whole oI the episode at least now.
Mr. Rama Rao had seven sons and Iour daughters: Mr. Jayakrishna,
Mr. Saikrishna, Mr. Harikrishna, Mr. Mohanakrishna, Mr. Balakrishna,
Mr. Ramakrishna Mr. Jayasankara Krishna, Mrs. Lokeswari, Mrs. Purandeswari,
Mrs. Bhuvaneswari and Mrs. Umamaheswari. I was quite surprised when
Mr. Jayasankara Krishna unexpectedly came to my house, while I was writing those
incidents in my book...!
Having seen he enquired whether his role was clearly portrayed...he also
reminded me that he was the one who asked me not to proceed to the Hotel Viceroy,
abused and cursed. The eldest son oI Mr. Rama Rao...Mr. Jayakrishna never danced
to the tunes oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. Later, he joined the NTR-TDP, contested
elections to Parliament Irom Srikakulam constituency and toured all places accusing
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu in very harsh words. The second Mr. Saikrishna, who was
in coma Ior three years, subsequently died. The third one Mr. Harikrishna, had been
.... ~.~ ~.

1be e/dest soo oj Mr. komo koo,

Mr. Joyokrisboo oever dooced to tbe tuoes oj
Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu. Loter, be joioed tbe R1k-
10P, cootested e/ectioos to Por/iomeot jrom
5rikoku/om coostitueocy ood toured o// p/oces
occusiog Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu io very borsb
words.

130
Iavourable to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and his role was well-known. The Iourth
Mr. Mohanakrishna |Mr.Tarakaratna is his son |, who never interIered with political
aIIairs, went along with his Iather. The IiIth is Mr. Balakrishna, while the sixth being
Mr. Ramakrishna, who looked aIter the productions and its related aIIairs under the
banner oI the Ramakrishna Cine Studios. Later, he tread on the path oI
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. The last in the list oI sons is Mr. Jaysankara Krishna,
whose attitude I need not elaborate here, because he had been pro-Iather all along.
Now, about daughters...Mrs. Purandeswari toed on line with her Iather
diIIering me, while Mrs. Bhuvaneswari always supported her spouse,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. The eldest daughter Mrs. Lokeswari is well settled in
Chennai, while the last one Mrs. Umamaheswari is in the US.
Pro-Chandrababu Naidu Pro-NTR
Mr. Harikrishna Mr. Jayakrishna
Mr. Balakrishna Mr. Mohanakrishna
Mr. Ramakrishna Mr. Jayasankarakrishna
Mrs. Bhuvaneswari Mrs. Purandeswari
Mr. Saikrishna is no more
While the truth was what I narrated here, the media came out with diIIerent
reports misguiding people with publication oI distorted Iacts as news items.
131
FTER reaching the Hotel Viceroy, I enquired about the total
number oI MLAs present there. I was told that 130 members
were already there and some more expected. Meanwhile,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu called me aside and said that the process Ior electing him as
the TDLP leader should be completed as quickly as possible and requested me to
propose him.
Actually, an MLA should propose the name oI the leader. Contrary to that
general principle and norms, he wanted to involve me with the sole intention oI winning
the conIidence oI the break-away group...So that all his acts oI commissions and
omission against Mr.Rama Rao could be ratiIied. Though I did not agree with him in
the beginning, I accepted to what he said at last. He also wanted me to convey the
inIormation to Mr. Harikrishna and Mr. Balakrishna. I was really surprised at that and
asked him on what pretext he brought them without telling anything and why did he
want me to do that...Since then...and till today, I could not understand his motive
behind all those, which remained as unsolved puzzles to me. How did he bring
Mr. Harikrishna and Mr. Balakrishna? What did he tell them and how innocent were
they to blindly Iollow him? Probably, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu could have his own
answers with him.

It wos 4 io tbe moroiog...Mr. 8o/okrisboo come to tbe Bote/

viceroy. Be oppeored to bove goioed
eo/igbteomeot. Boviog uoderstood tbe
wbo/e episode, be stepped io os oo
emissory oj Mr. komo koo ood cooveyed
tbe iojormotioo tbot be bod occepted
o/ / terms ood cooditioos oj
Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu. Be o/so
proposed tbot R1k sbou/d be o//owed to cootioue os tbe CM.

132
The thing inevitable had happened at last. Later in the night, he went
out...What I came to know at the end was that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu used to
make an updated appraisal oI events and developments beIore his so-callea
mentors, seek their advice and carry out their instructions...in the process oI holding
secret parlevs with them, he got disappeared during deadly nights once a while.
It was 4 in the morning...Mr. Balakrishna came to the Hotel Viceroy. He
appeared to have gained enlightenment. Having understood the whole episode, he
stepped in as an emissary oI Mr. Rama Rao and conveyed the inIormation that he
had accepted all terms and conditions oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
Mr. Balakrishna also proposed that Mr. Rama Rao should be allowed to
continue as the ChieI Minister. Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Mr. Madhava Reddy,
Mr. Vidyadhara Rao and Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who were sitting in the M.D.`s
chamber oI the Hotel Viceroy, outrightly rejected his proposal saying that it was too
late to change their decision.
I was not inIormed about the proposal at all, as I was staying in a room in
the upstairs. Mr. Balakrishna did not even meet me. Had that group led by
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu allowed him to meet me on the same day, things could have
been totally diIIerent.
InIormal meetings oI the ML As usually held in the Hotel Viceroy during
lunch and dinner. Press conIerences were arranged in the aIternoon. For those
meetings Mr. Chandrababu Naidu needed my presence. Even iI I were late, he used
to wait Ior me till I arrived. For any reason iI I were held back in my room on some
job or the other, he never Iailed to send somebody Ior me. I was made to address the
press. He was visiting me in my room every
morning and habitually telling me that he
won`t do anything without inIorming me. He
kept on saying that even aIter becoming the
ChieI Minister, he would discuss with me all
matters and decisions to be taken on
everyday-basis beIore going to oIIice.
133
was the third day in succession, when Mr. Rama Rao leIt Ior
the Hotel Viceroy on his Chaitanva Raaham. Most
unIortunate incident had happened that day. Some oI the MLAs
and the Iollowers oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu raised slogans against him and threw
footwear on him...! With utmost dejection and insult, he was constrained to make
u-turn. The situation became the most unIortunate and pitiable one in the history oI
the TDP rule.
It was August 29, I remember very well... a meeting took place at Basant
Talkies in Narayanaguda Ior electing Mr. Chandrababu Naidu as the TDLP leader in
the place oI Mr.Rama Rao. As usually, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu approached me
with a request to propose him as the leader, so that it could have trustworthiness.
Perhaps, he might have conspired to involve me to commit all blunders on his behalI.
However, I said no to that. Having thought that there was no use, he made
Mr. Ummareddy Venkateswarlu to read a resolution sacking Mr. Rama Rao Irom
the party and proposing Mr. Chandrababu Naidu as his successor.
That way...the person who launched the party and came to the power just
within 9 months in the political history oI Andhra Pradesh, carried out a number oI
~.~.~~ ~~ .~ ~~.

0r. Moboobobu, cioe ortiste iovited tbe 1o//ywood superstor,

Mr. kojooikootb to tbe veoue oj tbe
meetiog. Mr. kojooikootb proposed
tbot oobody sbou/d occupy tbe
cboir oj tbe porty presideot,
Mr. komo koo, wbicb sbou/d remoio
uooccupied...Ij be come bock ooy
doy, be o/ ooe sbou/ d use it.
Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu moiotoioed
e/oqueot si/eoce. Bowever, oobody secooded bis proposo/.

134
welIare-oriented programmes Ior the people and Iought against all corrupt practices
oI the Congress government...was disgraceIully sent out oI the party, which he started
in good Iaith. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu who hailed Irom the corrupt background,
captured it and became its President also...!
What more could it be termed other than a ghastly act? Since the day one,
as I had been associated myselI with the party without any expectations, I was in
tears...I could not bear with the proceedings and I withdrew myselI out oI that meeting.
On September 1, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu took the oath oI oIIice and secrecy as the
ChieI Minister oI Andhra Pradesh.
Just a day beIore that incident...the Speaker, Mr. Ramakrishnudu, was ready
Ior counting the heads oI the MLAs, who were brought in buses to the Assembly.
AIter counting and conIirmation oI the Iigures were over, Dr. Mohanbabu, cine artiste
invited the Tollywood matinee idol, Mr. Rajanikanth to the venue oI the meeting.
Mr. Rajanikanth proposed that nobody should occupy the chair oI the party
president, Mr. Rama Rao, which should remian unoccupied...II he came back any
day...he alone should use it. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu maintained eloquent silence.
However, nobody seconded his proposal.
Mr. Rama Rao also made a public announcement through a message with
the signature oI Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi...It reads: In future, he woula not participate
in anv of the government or the partv programmes...either airectlv or inairectlv
ana for that matter, he woula stav awav from politics. He had sent the same
message through some elders also. But, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu remained alooI
without any reaction or response.
135
September 1, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu became the ChieI
Minister. Along with him Mr. Harikrishna and a Iew others
were also inducted into the cabinet. I was not at all invited to
witness the event. He did not even tell me Ior whom or to how many he was giving
ministries. He was silent about Prakasam district, which happened to be mine.
Mr. Harikrishna attended the swearing-in ceremony without telling me a word. I
stayed myselI away Irom the whole aIIair.
AIter the swearing-in ceremony,
the ChieI Minister, Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu, drove straight to Mr. Rama Rao`s
house, who seemed to have said that he
did not like to see his Iace and closed the
doors. So, he helplessly returned without
meeting him. Mr. Rama Rao urged the
Governor, Mr. Krishnakanth, to do
justice, giving all details. He also discussed
with the Prime Minister, Mr. P.V.
Narasimha Rao. Mr. Upendra, who came
to express sympathy was requested to
. , ,.

1bougb Mr. Rorosimbo koo wos jovourob/e

ot tbe begiooiog, be bocked out oo some
reosoos or tbe otber. It wos be/ ieved
tbot...Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu revived bis o/d
cootocts witb tbe Coogress juoctiooory ood
prevoi/ed upoo tbem to turo dowo tbe
o//iooce proposo/ oj R1k.

136
help him in the discussions. Mr. Rama Rao demanded the dismissal oI
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu-led Government on undemocratic grounds.
He also went a step ahead and expressed his willingness to have a tie-up
with the Congress in the elections. When I issued a press statement recently, I was
accused oI creating unIounded allegations against the TDP. But, Mr. Upendra in his
book positively endorsed my statement.
Mr. Upendra, Iurther wrote that Mr. Rama Rao was ready Ior an alliance
with the Congress that day with a promise that the TDP would not Iield its candidates
Irom any oI the parliamentary segments. As Iar as the Assembly constituencies were
concerned, the Congress could contest as per its choice and requested to dissolve
the Assembly.
Mr. Upendra conIirmed that incident through the columns oI press also.
Though Mr. Narasimha Rao was Iavourable at the beginning, he backed out on
some reasons or the other. It was believed that...Mr. Chandrababu Naidu revived
his old contacts with the Congress Iunctionary and prevailed upon them to turn down
the alliance proposal oI Mr. Rama Rao. All these Iacts were not my Iiction...I just
quoted Mr. Upendra`s points oI views Irom his book.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
137
OMING to my own aIIairs, I stayed away Irom all party
activities and programmes and kept quiet Ior sometime. But,
Mrs. Purendeswari was visiting her Iather daily, as regularly as
she could...and spent some time there. Her Ieelings oI agony knew no bounds on
seeing her Iather in that state oI aIIairs. She could not say anything to also.
AIter a Iortnight or so, Mr. Bhujanga Rao and Mr. Kala Venkata Rao |one
oI the supporters oI Mr. Rama Rao| wanted me to meet him. I didn`t speakout
anything much less pressurise anyone to accompany me but decided on my own to
go over. On knowing that I was leaving Ior Mr. Rama Rao`s house, 14 MLAs
~ , .~~

1be oumber oj peop/e visitiog Mr. komo koo steodi/y bod beeo
oo tbe rise. A// tbose wbo come to porticipote io tbe progrommes
orgooised by tbe 10P oj Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu, regu/or/y visited
Mr. komo koo...0o tbot occosioo, be re/eosed oo oudio by oome
Jomotbo dosomo grobom,' wbicb meoot soo-io-/ow o 10
tb
p/ooet'.
Be oorroted io bis owo sty/e ood moooerism...o// iojustice meted
out to bim oo/y witb o view to mokiog tbe oext geoerotioo to
bove oworeoess, koow tbe trutb ood mooy otber jocts.

138
accompanied me regretting that they realised their mistakes and wanted to apologise
Mr. Rama Rao. That whole month was a nightmare to me. When I reached
Mr. Rama Rao, I Ielt as iI I came back to my own nest. We prayed to God Ior giving
us strength and opportunity to serve him, as remedial measure Ior all mistakes we
committed.
Later, Mr. Rama Rao approached the High Court and the Election
Commission seeking their directives on Mr. Chandrababu Naidu to restore status
quo in the TDP, which he himselI had established...On other hand Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu in his own capacity as the ChieI Minister oI Andhra Pradesh, Iiled a case
beIore the Election Commission claiming that cvcle svmbol, party oIIice at Gandipet,
money collected towards membership Iee and deposited in lakhs with the bank all
belonged to him.
Mr. Rama Rao`s appeals Ior natural justice went unheeded and ended in
calamities with the omnipotence oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. All cases Iiled beIore
the High Court and the Supreme Court were ruled against him. Mr. Rama Rao decided
to start a new party aIresh with the name the TDP-NTR and approached the Election
Commission to get lion allotted as the symbol Ior his new party.
He got everything ready Ior the acceptance oI the people and announced
names oI oIIice-bearers oI the party in which I was designated as general secretary.
Then onwards, I started working actively and vigorously Ior the party. Whenever
meetings were held with the Election Commission in New Delhi Ior recognition oI the
party, I alone attended those.
Keeping in view, the TDP-NTR enjoyed the support oI 34 MLAs and the
votes polled Ior them, we strongly argued beIore the Election Commission that the
party be recognised and lion-svmbol allotted. It was aIter the demise oI Mr. Rama
Rao and when elections to Parliament were held, all contestants Irom the TDP-NTR
were allotted lion as svmbol.
The number oI people visiting Mr. Rama Rao steadily had been on the rise.
All those who came to participate in the programmes organised by the TDP oI Mr.
Chandrababu Naidu, regularly visited Mr. Rama Rao...On that occasion, he released
an audio by name Jamatha aasama graham, which meant son-in-law a 10
th
planet. He narrated in his own style and mannerism...all injustice meted out to
him...only with a view to making the next generation to have awareness, know the
139
truth and many other Iacts. He also revealed many more such things during
Dharmapeetam, a programme telecast by Gemini TJ. Those days the electronic
media was not that popular Ior campaigns.
The dailies like Eenaau, which was most preIerred and largely circulated
never gave people the correct inIormation on Iacts and Iigures, because the media
too was in Iavour oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
Recently, there was a bid to keep the people inIormed oI all Iacts
substantiated by Mr. Rama Rao in a compact disc |CD|...I shall elaborate about it in
Iorthcoming pages. The tragedy also didn`t leave him...when he was all set to get the
verdict oI the people, the death suddenly snatched him away Irom them Ior whom he
had love, Iaith and a strong will to serve.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
140
was around 5 am on January 18, 1996, when the telephone in
my house rang non-stop. It was Dr. Soma Raju, who asked
me to rush to the house oI Mr. Rama Rao. More than that he
did not disclose anything to me at that time. As his house was nearer to ours` on
Road No:13, Banjara Hills, my wiIe and I reached there within no time.
We saw Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi alone sitting there in the oIIice busily making
phone-calls. The moment she saw us, she screamed aloud. She was also more surprised
than shocked over as to who could have conveyed the death news oI Mr. Rama Rao
to us. Within a Iraction oI a second, she controlled herselI and began sobbing.

Io spite oj severo/ versioos circu/oted rouod omoog peop/e,

ottributiog Mr. komo koo's deotb, doctors coojirmed tbot be died
oj o beort ottock. Just o doy bejore bis deotb, be wos subjected
to severe teosioo ood deep bumi/iotioo...1be souod reosoo
beiog...tbe porty juods to tbe tuoe oj ks. 70 /okb be/d witb book
wos /ost witb o siog/e judgemeot de/ivered tbe previous doy io
jovour Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu, wbo ji/ed tbe cose ogoiost
Mr. komo koo.

141
Mr. Rama Rao`s bedroom was in the Iirst Iloor, where we reached immediately and
saw him on bed, giving an impression that he was in a deep slumber. He wore white
long shirt |kurta| and white ahoti. He looked like having had his shave early in
the morning. Standing by the side oI his cot were his personal physicians Dr.Somaraju,
Dr. Narayana Prasad and Dr. Kumar. Along with them present was Dr. Lakshmi
Reddy...It was Dr. Somaraju, who disclosed us the news oI death. I enquired Irom
him about how he died.
According to Dr. Somaraju, he died oI a heart attack at 4 am, which he
came to know only through Dr. Lakshmi Reddy around 4.30 am...Dr. Somaraju was
the Iirst to know who immediately telephoned me, while leaving. By the time he
reached there, Mr. Rama Rao was not alive.
Based on situations there...it appeared that he got up at 3 am as usual, did
some physical exercises beIore taking bath...later, he would have died around 4 am,
Dr. Somaraju Ielt...Then we came down stairs and started making telephone calls to
all relatives, near and dear. Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi inIormed us that she Iirst revealed
the news oI death to Dr. Lakshmi Reddy, who was known to her and then to
Mr. K. Vijayabhaskara Reddy, a Iormer central minister.
In spite oI several versions circulated round among people, attributing
Mr. Rama Rao`s death, doctors conIirmed that he died oI a heart attack. Just a day
beIore his death, he was subjected to severe tension and deep humiliation...The
sound reason being...the party Iunds to tune oI Rs. 70 lakh held with bank was lost
with a single judgement delivered the previous day in Iavour Mr. Chandrababu Naidu,
who Iiled the case against Mr. Rama Rao.
142
On the same night, Mr. Rama Rao reported to have told a number oI his
well-wishers about the injustice done to him with much pain and great humiliation he
suIIered at that time...The very next morning that unIortunate incident occurred. BeIore
his death and Ior sometime, Mr. Rama Rao used to take steroias. It was aIter his
death, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi handed over Mr. Atluri Subba Rao the remaining packs
oI steroias and got them destroyed in a Iire.
When the news was let out, a large number oI people in groups swarmed
Mr. Rama Rao`s house. However, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu did not have courage to
openly make his presence Ielt. He came secretly and leIt immediately. The people
who came to know about his secret visit, got angry because oI which he also did not
stay over there Ior long.
All members oI his Iamily gathered together...Mr. Harikrishna, who was in
Hong Kong, could not be present at that time but arrived the next day...We had to
decide on two things...Where to keep the body oI Mr. Rama Rao Ior people to pay
tributes and...where to cremate.
While some suggested that his last rites should be perIormed at his own site
near the party oIIice at Gandipet, others Ielt that it should be done in the city
itselI...Finally, the place which was agreeable to all...wasBuaaha purnima profect
site nearer to the Hussain Sagar lake, which was inaugurated by Mr. Rama Rao,
when he was the ChieI Minister.
Then it was unanimously decided to shiIt the body to Lal Bahadur Stadium
and keep there Ior people and Ians to pay last respects. Groups oI people thronged
the stadium in large numbers Ior last aarshan, which was well-known to all. The
143
next day...when Mr.Chandrababu Naidu went to the stadium, people threw
footwear on him to express their anger...Later, when the stadium was taken up Ior
cleaning there got accumulated heaps oI Iootwear that had to be loaded out in a
lorry.
The last journey oI Mr. Rama Rao to the cremation ground, which started
with a huge procession went through Bashirbagh, accompanied by lakhs oI people
with tears welled up in their eyes...He was cremated with Iull state honours at the site
near the Hussian Sagar lake and the thought oI the day was: 'There was a slip
between the cup and lips oI the poor.
144
HAT happened to the treasure belonged to Mr. Rama Rao...that
nobody knew...But, there were reports that Mrs. Lakshmi
Parvathi stuIIed in a couple oI trunk-boxes with packs oI
currency notes, sent one to the proprietor oI Kakatiya Cements, Mr. Venkateswara
Rao |a resident oI Ashoknagar| and the other to the proprietor oI Suchitra Electronics,
Mr. Krishnam Raju...while gold and diamond jewelry were kept under the custody
oI Dr. Anil Krishna, one oI her close associates.
By the time Mr. Chandrababu Naidu rushed a team oI police Ior a search...
till then, the treasure was already moved out. Silver articles were entrusted with the
Cheepurupalli M.L.A., Mr. Baburao...Four days later,
Mr. Venkateswara Rao reportedly returned the trunk-box
to Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi with the lock intact...when it was
unlocked, he said it contained Rs. 1.25 crore... which I
never saw on any occasion. The second one, which
Mr. Krishnam Raju returned contained only Rs. 75 lakh.
On the contrary, Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi seemed
to have argued that the total sum should have been more
than what was returned. Dr. Anil Krishna under whose
~ ~~ ~ ~. ~

8y tbe time Mr. Cboodrobobu Roidu rusbed

o teom oj po/ice jor o seorcb...ti// tbeo, tbe
treosure wos o/reody moved out...wbeo osked
obout si/verwore eotrusted witb Mr.8oburoo,
be wos reported to bove soid tbot be o/so bod
tbe rigbt to eojoy Mr. komo koo's
property...over wbicb, be bod o row witb
Mrs.Loksbmi Porvotbi.

145
custody gold and diamond jewelry were kept turned adamant and said that nothing
was given to him.
Later, when asked about silverware entrusted with Mr. Baburao, he was
reported to have said that he also had the right to enjoy Mr. Rama Rao`s property...over
which, he had a row with Mrs.Lakshmi Parvathi. As Iar as Iixed assets oI Mr. Rama
Rao were concerned, I do not want myselI to get involved.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
146
ITH 34 members, the NTR-TDP started deliberations on Iuture
course oI action. The party which Mr. Rama Rao wanted to
start, should be under name and style oI the NTR-TDP with
Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi as its president. Mr. Rama Rao nominated me as working
president. The maniIesto oI the party was careIully prepared with a clause that the
signatures oI both oI us must be there on the B-forms during elections to Parliament.
By sending it to the Election Commission...lion as the symbol was
requested. During elections to Parliament in 1996, the NTR-TDP candidates contested
only with that symbol. In Srikakulam district...Mr. Jayakrishna |the eldest son oI
Mr. Rama Rao|, contested on the NTR-TDP ticket but lost with a small margin oI
votes, while Mr. Butchaiah Chowdary, Mr. Devineni Rajasekhar |Nehru| and
Mr. Muddukrishnama Naidu contested Ior Parliament. The whole sum oI money
Iound aIter the death oI Mr. Rama Rao was spent in that elections.
When some oI the Iollowers oI Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi launched a mal
propaganaa against me, I was greatly pained and kept myselI away Irom all activities
oI electioneering and party...Another reason was, the way things were organised by
her Iollowers and their behaviour during the Rajya Sabha elections...ThereaIter, I
neither went to the party oIIice nor did I look at the party. The elections to the Rajya
.~~ , ~ ,.~.

I cootested oo bebo/j oj tbe R1k-10P, wbi/e

Mr. 1. veokotromi keddy oj 0eccoo Cbrooic/e'
did so oo bebo/j oj tbe Coogress. I wos quite
coojideot oj my wio...becouse oj tbe iotimocy
I eojoyed witb tbe 10P members. I o/so observed
tbot Mr. veokotromi keddy o/so bod simi/or
coojideoce. I woo just witb o morgio oj 33 votes
over bim.

147
Sabha were held in February 1996. Six candidates to be selected Irom the state
quota. According to an estimate, the TDP and its Iriendly parties could get Iive
elected. And the remaining one could go either to the Congress, which had 25 MLAs
or to the NTR-TDP with 32 members.
I contested on behalI oI the NTR-TDP, while Mr. T. Venkatrami Reddy oI
Deccan Chronicle did so on behalI oI the Congress. I was quite conIident oI my
win...because oI the intimacy I enjoyed with the TDP members. I also observed that
Mr. Venkatrami Reddy also had similar conIidence. I won just with a margin oI 33
votes over him.
Mr. Venkatami Reddy called me up over phone and angrily alleged that
with the help oI Mrs. Lakshmi Parvathi and some Iriends 16 out oI 32 members oI
the NTR-TDP were paid Rs.5 to 7 lakh each...But still they cheated him and he
advised me not to trust them...Later, when I probed into details oI votes polled in my
Iavour, I understood that some oI the TDP members...whom I had helped earlier,
were responsible Ior my win. While counting, it was conIirmed that a total oI 70
members had cast their second preIerential votes Ior me...I believed that it was possible
only by the God`s grace.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
148
HE TDP secured 17 seats in elections to Parliament oI 1996.
Mr. Vajpayee who became the Prime Minister, was in oIIice
Ior the shortest duration oI only 13 days, when Mr. Deve
Gowda succeeded him with the help oI the TDP. Mr. Yarram Naidu, Mr. Ummareddy
Venkateswarlu, Mr. Venugopalachari and Mr. Bulliramaiah secured berths in
Mr. Deve Gowda Cabinet.
The news was that the Congress extended its external support to the
government, which pulled on Iairly a one year and halI. Mr. Sitaram Kesri was the
President oI the Congress...The Iollowing were some oI the incidents occurred during
my tenure, which showed how strange were the developments...! The same became
a benchmark in the political history oI our country:
With the assassination oI Mr. Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, it was thought that
there was no able leader avaialble to lead the Congress. In the light oI that assumption,
Mr. Narasimha Rao, who packed up his personal eIIects and about to leave Ior his
place oI residence, assumed charge as the Prime Minister without election.
Mr. Rama Rao, who started his party against the Congress did not put up
any candidate against Mr. Narasimha Rao, when he contested Irom Nandyal and
thus helped him win with a thumping majority oI votes.
Mioister, Mr. 0eve 6owdo wos
/ooe member oj bis porty, wbo
wos sittiog /ost io tbe 10
tb
Lok
5obbo. Robody used to to/k to
bim. 1be some geot/emoo
become tbe Prime Mioister io
tbe 11
tb
Lok 5obbo...rep/ociog
Mr. vojpoyee

149
In the Cabinet oI Mr. Deve Gowda at the Centre, there were
4 ministers, who belonged to the Telugu Desam Partv and the Congress extended
its external support.
BeIore becoming the Prime Minister, Mr. Deve Gowda was a lone member
oI his party, who was sitting last in the 10
th
Lok Sabha. Nobody used to talk to him.
The same gentleman became the Prime Minister in the 11
th
Lok Sabha.
In spite oI capturing more than 250 Assembly seats, when elections were
held in 1994, Mr. Rama Rao was unceremoniously removed Irom oIIice oI the ChieI
Minister in just 8 months` duration.
While being associated with the Congress in 1982, Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu...who posed a challenge to contest against Mr. Rama Rao joined the TDP and
became the ChieI Minister...And as though it was not enough, he grabbed the party
Irom Mr. Rama Rao and became its President, undemocratically nulliIying all acts oI
democratically elected Mr. Rama Rao.
Having been associated with the TDP since its inception on March 29,
1982...and having worked Ior the party and its allied activities Irom the day one, I
became the congress M.L.A.,
Mrs. Purandeswari, daughter oI Mr. Rama Rao, who joined the Congress,
elected to the Lok Sabha Irom Bapatla parliamentary constituency and became the
Union Minister oI State Ior Human Resource Development within the short span oI
her entry into politics.
Mr.Sitaram Kesri in a surprise move withdrew the Congress support to the
Central Government resulting in the Iall oI Mr. Deve Gowda. Mr. I.K.Gujral replaced
him as the Prime Minister...again elections became inevitable.
150
EANWHILE...in a changed political scenario, I joined the
Bharatiya Janata Party on January 26,1998. Till then, the BJP
had not joined hands with the TDP. When the TDP secured 12
seats...through elections to Parliament in 1999, the BJP Iell short oI 12 seats to Iorm
the government at the centre. In that context, the BJP was in dire need oI support oI
those 12 MPs., belonged to the TDP.
Keeping that inevitable situation in mind, I went to the residence oI
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu at Jubilee Hills. But...his indiIIerence attitude and gross
negligence towards me made me return. He was the same person, who came to my
house in August 1995, waited Ior me Ior two-long hours and requested Ior my help
on many matters...all those were known Iacts.
I am constrained to write these lines here only to reveal the true colours oI
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. Later, he backed the BJP, which Iormed government at
the centre and ruled Ior 13 months. Miss. Jayalalithaa-led ADMK Irom Tamil Nadu
also supported the Vajpayee Government but when she withdrew her support, the
government Iell Ior want oI just a vote...Subsequently midterm elections were held.
When I was in the Rajya Sabha as its member, a strange thing happened,
which I would like to narrate here...I was a member oI the BJP Ior others out oI
~.~.~~ ~~ ~./

Mr. Advooi rejused to seod popers to tbe Cboirmoo oj tbe kojyo

5obbo, recogoisiog me os tbe 8JP member.
Be bod bis owo reosoos jor it...Ij recogoitioo
wos occorded to me, be cou/d bove iocurred
tbe wrotb ood disp/eosure oj Mr.Cboodrobobu
Roidu, wbose porty wos exteodiog support to
tbe 8JP ood I wos outrigbt/y iojormed tbot it
wos oot possib/e.

151
Parliament...but I had to continue as an independent only. II anybody knew where I
was seated, the truth could be known.
The reason was that the BJP president, Mr. Advani...reIused to send papers
to the Chairman oI the Rajya Sabha, recognising me as the BJP member. He had his
own reasons Ior it...II recognition was accorded to me, he could have incurred the
wrath and displeasure oI Mr.Chandrababu Naidu, whose party was extending support
to the BJP and I was inIormed that it was not possible.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
152
OMING to political developments in Andhra Pradesh,
Mr. Harikrishna contested elections to the Assembly Irom
Hindupur constituency got elected, and was inducted into the
Cabinet oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu...Mr. Harikrishna, all oI a sudden, held a press
conIerence in Hotel Aahvaanam in the aIternoon oI January 26 and announced
the launch oI Anna Telugu Desam Partv.
Without getting identiIied as a member oI the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, I
Iound it very diIIicult to get myselI adjusted. Hence, I joined the Anna TDP immediately.
The Rajya Sabha member, Mr. Yarlagadda Lakshmiprasad, also joined the party.
During elections in 1999, Mr. Harikrishna toured throughout the state
campaigning Ior the Anna TDP and came down heavily on Mr. Chandrababu Naidu,
grossly abusing the tongue...Hari garfana he highlighted in detail, the corruption oI
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
But I kept myselI away Irom the party programmes. In certain situations, I
used to keep quiet, because oI the strange behavior oI Mr. Harikrishna. The Anna
TDP candidates including Mr. Harikrishna lost deposits in the elections. The TDP
began its second inning oI power by securing 181 Assembly seats.

wbeo Miss. Joyo/o/itboo pu//ed tbe corpet

beoeotb tbe jeet oj Mr. vojpoyee, bis porty wos
/ orge/ y beoejitted witb uoprecedeoted
sympotby wove tbrougbout tbe couotry.1be 10P
o/so regoioed power io Aodbro Prodesb, wbi/e
tbe 8JP jormed goveromeot ot tbe ceotre.
Bowever, tbe 10P exteroo/ /y exteoded its
support to tbe goveromeot.

153
When Miss. Jayalalithaa pulled the carpet beneath the Ieet oI Mr. Vajpayee,
his party was largely beneIitted with unprecedented sympathy-wave throughout the
country. The TDP also regained power in Andhra Pradesh, while the BJP Iormed
government at the centre. However, the TDP externally extended its support to the
government.
Though the party had 28 MPs, none joined the ministry...the sole reason
being Mr. Chandrababu Naidu wanted to retain all powers under his thumb and
never wanted anyone to become ministers and enjoy powers
thereby. The same thing was discussed among the
Members oI Parliament those days...the members who
were pained more...were the ministers once.
During the tenure oI Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu as the ChieI Minister...the most popular
rice Ior Rs.2 a kg scheme launched by Mr. Rama
Rao was replaced with his own rice scheme at
Rs. 5. 50 a kg. Power tariII was also
raised...when the opposition parties agitated
against it, an uncalled Ior police Iiring ensued.
Prohibition was abolished and
oIIicials were made responsible Ior selling
barrels oI liquor through belt-shops. Clean
and green under the banner oI
Janmabhoomi, programme oI planting trees
and construction oI water storage pits |inkuau
guntalu| which all he diIIered with me earlier, were
undertaken as part oI his government schemes and
he thought they made him popular.
By launching Iood-Ior-work programme, he
got very large quantities oI rice allocated Ior the state
by the centre, which ultimately became a Iocal-point oI
corruption among the TDP workers. There started a stiII
opposition against it Irom villages.
154
truth must be revealed here about the development oI
InIormation Technology |IT| in the state. It was a routine
process to compare developments oI IT with those oI
neighbouring states Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and the Union Territory oI
New Delhi...When the revenue Irom IT sector to the state was calculated, we were
placed at 5
th
place next to those states. The situation remained the same well beIore
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu became the ChieI Minister. The status quo persisted
even aIter the exit oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
aIter a gross 9-year rule as the ChieI Minister
oI Andhra Pradesh. II he claimed credit to
his selI-publicised development oI IT in
Andhra Pradesh, those ChieI Ministers oI the
neighbouring states...should also get their
shares oI Iame and name. But it never
happened. What we could understand was
that with the help oI media as platIorm Ior
his propaganda, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu
could have been on the limelight.
,~. ..

1be growtb oj I1 become o wor/dwide pbeoomeooo witb

Americoo compooies seorcbiog jor
projitob/e bumoo resources. As tbose were
ovoi/ob/e io p/eoty io Iodio compored to
otber ootioos ood projicieocy io Log/isb
omoog Iodioos wos o/so coosidered better,
tbe visits oj Americoo compooies to our
couotry become esseotio/ ood were bistorico//y dejioed.

155
He might have been responsible Ior
getti ng more than 300 engineering
colleges...But at the same time...when students
leIt those colleges, he was not there as the
ChieI Minister. However, we have to accept
that he took initiative to get those colleges Ior
the state.
It also might be a Iact that he tried
his best to invite Mr. Bill Clinton and Mr. Bill
Gates to Hyderabad...oI course, he also made
the best use oI their visits, projected that he was alone responsible Ior introducing
and the developing IT sector in the country, which was not true.
The growth oI IT became a worldwide phenomenon with American
companies searching Ior proIitable human resources. As those were available in plenty
in India compared to other nations and proIiciency in English among Indians was also
considered better, the visits oI American companies to our country became essential
and were historically deIined.
For Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who cannot write at least a couple oI
sentences correctly and speak a Iew more properly...even today requires
somebody`s help to surf or browse internet. Power-point presentations became
popular and considered easier than delivering lectures.
Reading power-point scrollings on screen, prepared by some eminent
persons like Mr. Ranadeep Sudan could be done by anybody. But with mere
innocence and Iorgetting their own peripheral oI wisdom...the Press also highlighted
his hypocritical views and gloriIied Mr. Chandrababu Naidu beyond truth.
Finally, publicities reached such a level, where the impression was made
that he himselI inventea computer also. He had been an unparelleled promotor oI
selI-propaganda. He also made the press corps believe that nobody on the Earth
matched him in computer knowledge even Mr. Billgates had to borrow it Irom him.
He offerea scribes whatever they asked Ior to get wide publicities.
156
WARNANDHRA PRADESH and Jision-2020 were the
most popular to hear those days. Without creating an industry
or adding up at least one more to the existing ones...
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu made people believe that he would convert the state into
Swarnanahra Praaesh...When the question oI industries arises, I have to tell you
an important Iactor here...Permissions were accorded those days to establish power
centres by private sector. For 24 power projects, he entered into MoU with
industrialists concerned during midnight.
When the Energy Secretary, Mr. V.V.S. Sarma, reIused to sign in the
midnight, he was mercilessly removed. Later he was appointed as the Principal
Secretary at the Central Electricity Board. ThereaIter he permitted 46 industrialists
to start mini-power plants to produce 100 mega-watts oI power.
But there were a lot oI commotions and conIusions as a result oI which they
never came up at all. But the promoters had to approach Ior the extension oI time,
whenever the due date was over. The government extended the time limit Ior every
six months. That kind oI situation was like a Iestival that came quite oIten Ior
Mr.Chandrababu Naidu. The promoters had to pay mamools Ior each and every
extended period. These electricity plants turned into money-spinning ones to
. ~..~.~.~ .~~

1be IIIC0 jerti/izer p/oot io Re//ore did oot moterio/ise...but,

Beritoge Mi/ k Project deve/ oped
we//! Irrigotioo projects jor stote
/ike Pu/icbioto/o, ve/igoodo, 6o/eru,
Rogori ood 0ummogudem etc., were
coojioed oo/ y to tbe stoge oj
jouodotioo!! Mr.Cbroodrobobu Roidu
to/ked mucb obout 5worooodbro' ood g/orijied it. wbere is it?

157
him.Externally, it was described as electricity reIorms or privatisation and a lot oI
propaganda were made too.
There are Iive more projects in the state with a capacity oI 250mw and
more. Big projects like Konaseema, GVK and Kakinada were under construction.
Mr.Chandrababu Naidu executed PPA |Power Purchasing Agreements| with them
and gave permissions to procure gas Irom Gas Authority oI India Limited |GAIL| Ior
production oI electricity. Actually there was no gas with the authority. Mr.Chandrababu
Naidu knew it very well, but still granted permissions!
Later he demanded the government agency to get an agreement executed
Ior supply oI gas. Whenever he went to Delhi, he brought pressure on the Union
Finance Minister to Iund the projects with bank loans, Ior all oI those he got his
percentages.
There were stories that industrialists who wanted to grab projects, gave
huge sums as bribes. The BPL company was said to have spent Rs. 200 crore Ior
permission and other works well beIore starting the plant...The case remains the
same even today. It was a Iarce...that one day...in the name oI partnership summit,
industrialists were invited to the Hotel Krishna Oberoy in Hyderabad to enter into
MoUs worth Rs.1 lakh crore...but...the outcome was, not even a single industry got
established.
Though Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam ports needed priority, they were
purposefullv aelavea and the projects like Ennore in Chennai and Haldia in
West Bengal,which were started late were completed early. Consequently...the
expected huge revenues to the state got shiIted to other states.
The IFFCO Iertilizer plant in Nellore did not materialise...but, Heritage
Milk Project developed well...! Irrigation projects Ior state like Pulichintala, Veligonda,
Galeru, Nagari and Dummagudem etc., were conIined only to the stage oI
Ioundation...!! He talked much about Swarnanahra`...Where is it?
The Mahila Swavam Sewak Sanghams |DWAKRA|, which was started
during the tenure oI Mr. Narasimha Rao had grown well...The unhealthy practice oI
mobilizing womenIolks through DWAKRA groups Ior his public meetings was at its
peak, when he was the ChieI Minister.
158
was written in the book...Jision-2020...that to get it
implemented, the government required Rs. 1 lakh crore per
annum. A multinational company was paid some crores oI
rupees Ior designing and conceptualisation. Again in crores was spent Ior publicity. A
minister Irom Switzerland, who visited Andhra Pradesh, read Jision 2020 and
openly commented that iI anyone wrote that kind oI a book in his country, |s| he
could be either failea or sent to mental asvlum. Later, Jision-2020 remained...a
distant dream!
It was a Iact that aIter grabbing power, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu tried to
bring down the popularity oI Mr. Rama Rao. As Iirst move, he removed the
photograph oI Mr. Rama Rao Irom membership enrollment books and substituted
with his.
During his visit to New Delhi a Iew days aIter becoming the ChieI Minister,
he seemed to have told Mr. Krishna Rao an important Journalist: For how manv
aavs shoula we carrv on with the photograph of NTR... His shoula be replacea
with mine . II it were not done, he thought...he could not get recognised in the
political history oI Andhra Pradesh.
That kind oI his greediness prompted him to do several unwarranted and
malicious things to erase magnitude and image oI NTR Irom the minds oI people...
.. . ~. . ~ ~~. ~.~.

wbeo be reigoed supreme mooipu/otiog

po/ itics io Rew 0e/bi, tbere were jour 10P
mioisters ot tbe ceotre...Mr. 6.M.C. 8o/oyogi wos
tbe 5peoker oj tbe Lok 5obbo jor jive yeors...!
1be coodidotes...wbom be bocked, become Prime
Mioisters...but, be oever mode ooy ottempt to
propose R1k jor 8borot kotoo,' oword...

159
Mr. Krishna Rao conIirmed that view in a TV
programme. When he reigned supreme manipulating
politics in New Delhi there were Iour TDP ministers at
the centre...Mr. G.M.C. Balayogi was the Speaker oI
the Lok Sabha Ior a Iull term oI Iive years...there were
also the candidates, whom he backed, became Prime
Ministers...but, he never made a single attempt to
propose NTR Ior the highest award oI the nation
Bharat Ratna, which he really deserved...much less
his statue got erected in the vicinity oI Parliament.
The Central Government was mulling on
erecting a statue oI NTR. While Mrs. Purandeswari met Speaker Somnath Chatterjee
regarding the issue, the TDP under the leadership oI Mr.Chandrababu Naidu got
alerted. The TD Parliamentary Party leader, Mr. Yerram Naidu, hurriedly made a
statement that his party too Iavored the same. But in reality...iI the oIIice oI the Speaker
wanted to erect any statue, it wanted the state government concerned to do so.
When the Speaker`s oIIice requested the Andhra Pradesh Government in this regard,
the ChieI Minister Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, kept quiet! But when Mrs.Purandeswari
expressed her desire to meet all costs involved Ior the erection oI the statue, The
TDP also expressed to do so! But, in Iact he put all hurdles against the erection oI
NTR statue , which remained a mirage even today...!
Because oI the initiative oI the BJP leader, Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu,
Hyderabad Airport was named aIter Mr. Rama Rao. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu didn`t
even write a letter proposing it. Finally, with pressures mounting on him Irom pro-
NTR party activists, he started making use oI his image. AIter loosing power,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu changed his colours again. In the new scenario a new
160
Je eae| ej te paqe...
political thought ruled his mind. He started perIorming pufa to the statue oI NTR
his Iamily members, who were kept at bay earlier, became very close to him.
In 2003...when there was still 6 months leIt Ior the end oI his tenure and
due to Alipiri inciaent, where he had a miraculous rescue Irom the attack oI
naxals, he abruptly dissolved the Assembly with a Iore thought...the svmpathv factor
would work in his Iavour. At the same time the BJP at the centre also announced
elections in advance, resulting in checkmate Ior both governments...! Those became
prime political developments. It was when Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy undertook
paaaa-vatra throughout the state...became popular and successIul.
161
Chandrababu Naidu encouraged and involved in multi-scams
non-stop that made him grab fast-bucking. To name a Iew
were: Yeleru lands compensation case, kickbacks in liquor
sales, selling away 1,000 acres oI prime land Ior a throw away price at Rs. 25,000
an acre at the instance oI Mr. Billi Rao and collecting huge Iunds Irom private power
producers, when he was the interim ChieI Minister.
The beneIiciary in the sale oI that huge land was an organisation known as
IMG...a bogus institution. Leaving apart all those, he wrote in his own book
Manasulo-maata that he was a reIormer.
A notiIication was issued Ior the general elections in April, 2004. In the light
oI my tenure completion in the Rajya Sabha, I was in a precarious predicament and
wanted to approach some party or the other Ior my political existence.
Having known all my track-record, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu would never
admit me into the party. What I had thought at that time was...people should not
/./~./ ~.~ ..~.

0oe jioe moroiog, 0r. kojosekboro keddy roog

me up ood iovited me to joio tbe Coogress. As I
wos oo MP, my precooditioo wos tbot I sbou/d
cootest jor tbe Assemb/y e/ectioos...tbot too jrom
Porcbur coostitueocy. wbeo be
osked me obout 8opot/ o
por/ iomeotory coostitueocy, I
suggested 0r. Lovu kotboiob oj
vigooo 6roup oj Iostitutioos. 0r. kojosekboro
keddy spoke to bim over pbooe ood Mr. kotboiob
seemed to bove expressed bis wi//iogoess.

162
misunderstand me and they should know that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu remained a
stumbling block Ior my entry into parent party...At the same time all members oI
NTR Iamily should be let known about the selfish and cunning nature oI
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
Based on such aos ana aonts, I sent a word to him through his close
aides about my inclination to rejoin the TDP. As true to my expectations, he said
no. The Iamily members could understand it. On knowning the incident, Mr. Venkaiah
Naidu contacted me.
In 2004, the tie-up between the TDP and the BJP existed and in view oI
that...he wanted me to contest elections as a BJP candidate Irom any constituency oI
my choice. As part oI the negotiations, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu requested
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu to give a ticket to me. But he clamorously refusea it and
added that there would be no question oI seat-sharing kind oI a thing, iI I were a
candidate.
Mr. Kamineni Suryanarayana, one oI the prominent members Irom relatives
too had made his eIIorts but in vain...The plan what I had devised earlier was
successIul...the nature oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was made known to all important
people belonging to political and Iamily circles.
Then, I set out Ior meeting people directly. From December 14 onwards...Ior
about a couple oI months, I toured the whole oI Guntur and Prakasam districts, held
public meetings, told the gathering about what all had happened and asked them
about my Iuture course oI action. Everyone, whoever I met...leIt the decision to me
and assured their solidarity and support, whatever it might be.
There was something else in
my mind...behind my tour Ior those two
months.. .Mr. N. G. Ranga was
recognised throughout the country with
a lot oI Iriends and well-wishers...but,
people used to say that whenever he
changed party, he never inIormed his
Iollowers nor the reasons. It clearly
meant that ProI. Ranga`s change-over
policy lacked backing Irom his
163
Iollowers. That kind oI an atmosphere,
I thought.. . was not suitable to
me...Hence, I made my opinion public
gave weightage to their Ieelings beIore
stepping into the Congress. It could have
been very diIIicult Ior me to do that, had
the opinions oI people I gathered been
diIIerent...! I Ielt that iI I did on the lines
oI proI. Ranga , it couldn`t be useIul either way. One Iine morning, Dr. Rajasekhara
Reddy rang me up and invited me to join the Congress.
As I was an MP, my pre-condition was that I should contest Ior the Assembly
elections...that too Irom Parchur constituency. When he asked me about Bapatla
parliamentary constituency, I suggested Dr. Lavu Rathaiah oI Vignan Group oI
Institutions. Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy spoke to him over phone and Dr. Rathaiah seemed
to have expressed his willingness.
The news which spread throughout the state making Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu react immediately Mr. Iyeswara Rao, who was working in New Delhi, was a
good Iriend oI Dr. Rathaiah. So, he dragged him into scene and held discussions
with Mr. Rathaiah...He also sent a word through Mr. Iyeswara Rao, requesting
Mr. Rattaiah to contest Irom Guntur parliamentary constituency on the TDP ticket
but not Irom Bapatla on behalI oI the Congress.
Being a resident oI Guntur...Mr. Rattaiah Ielt Mr. Chandrababu Naidu`s
proposal more beneIicial. So, he expressed his willingness to contest Irom Guntur.
There began my job...searching Ior a right candidate Ior Bapatla. The Congress
brought heavy pressure on me either to suggest to somebody or contest myselI Irom
Bapatla.
In my process oI identiIying a candidate...I consulted Mr. Lagadapati
Rajagopal, who told me that he preIerred Vijayawada to Bapatla.
164
ITH those twists and turns in my eIIorts to Iind out a right
candidate...I ended up with none. Having been in Parliament
Ior 11 years, I decided to contest only Ior the Assembly. So, I
had the last option to suggest Mrs. Purandeswari...that too, when no candidate was
available and the party did not object to my proposition.
However, Mrs. Purandeswari was totally unaware oI all those political
developments...! The very next day...though I did not expect...and to the great surprise
oI Mrs. Purandeswari...all newspapers prominently Ieatured her as the Congress
candidate Irom Bapatla parliamentary constituency.
Only aIter reading the news by herselI in the columns oI newspapers, she
asked me what had happened...Only then...I narrated her the whole episode, which
led her entry into the public liIe. Cautiously and still she wanted me to think deeply
on the issue over and again.
She also wanted to know Irom me whether it was necessary Ior her to
enter into politics. I replied her that we could not do anything under that
circumstances...Just in a weekdays time she had to Iile her nomination papers. In
view oI that...she called on all her brothers and explained them everything in detail.
All members oI Iamily too heartily blessed her and with their blessings she returned
home.

0o Apri/ 3, Mrs. Puroodeswori ji/ed ber popers

ot tbe Co//ector's ojjice io 0ogo/e...It wos just o
begiooiog oj ber jouroey ooto tbe wor/d oj
po/itico/ ojjoirs. 1be wbo/e exercise tbot took
p/oce wos oot io my miod. Bod sbe wooted to
eoter ioto po/itics, sbe cou/d bove dooe it, wbi/e
duriog tbe period oj ber jotber Mr. komo koo.

165
On April 3, she Iiled her papers at the Collector`s oIIice in Ongole...It was
just a beginning oI her journey onto the world oI political aIIairs. The whole exercise
that took place was not in my mind. Had she wanted to enter into politics, she could
have done it, while during the period oI her Iather. There were a couple oI occasions
also, when Mr. Rama Rao suggested her to take up her career in politics...but, she
kept quiet. She had no such intention at all at any point oI time.
But today, what I Ieel and attribute is that her entry into politics is nothing...but
due to the grace oI God. I never equated politics to a bea of roses or a
palanquin...! To enjoy the Iavour oI people and be popular among them how
much eIIorts and sacriIices one required, I learnt them Irom my own experience. I
did not want her to undertake so much ordeal in liIe to Iace people oI diIIerent
moods and behaviors in political arena.
On the day oI her Iiling nomination, I was alone spending sometime in the
precincts oI Sri Anfaneva swamv temple oI our village...I was almost in
tears...Whatever had happened, it happened...according to the will oI God, we are
just mute spectators to the destiny...this philosophical thought, which enriched my
mind Ilashed in me again and again and dawned out oI my mixed experience...!
Otherwise...how could it be possible to Mrs. Purandeswari |daughter oI
Mr. Rama Rao| to gain an entry into politics on behalI oI the Congress party, win
laurels Irom all quarters, become the Union Minister oI State Ior Human Resource,
earn name and Iame within short span oI time and participate in a number oI national
and international conIerences that Iurther enhanced the pride oI Teluguites? All because
oI the God`s grace again.
166
Purandeswari`s entry into politics, as I narrated earlier,
happened most unexpectedly...AIter winning elections...both
met the ChieI Minister, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy, at Andhra
Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi. I still remember very well...what we had told him:
We are not anticipating anv post...vou are at vour will ana pleasure to
shuffle the cabinet ana we wont come in vour wav...' The wav how people
respectea us gave us the satisfaction... As we happen to be new entrants, even
if we expect anv post, it is natural for others to nurture feelings of fealousv,
which we ao not want to incur ana continue with that.
Later, Mrs. Purandeswari worked very hard, attended the sessions oI
Parliament, participated in a number oI discussions and raised many issues Ior redress.
Her maiden speech was on the issues relating to agriculture Ior which she won
appreciation Irom all.

Ior ooe /oog yeor sbe /ooked oo jurtber. 0uriog tbot yeor itse/j, sbe
wos odjudged os tbe best por/iomeotorioo by tbe Asioo Age'. 1be 5peoker,
Mr. 5omoootb Cbotterjee described ber os o good orotor. 1be 0PA
Cboirpersoo, Mrs. 5ooio 6oodbi ood tbe Prime Mioister, 0r. Moomoboo
5iogb, boviog beeo sotisjied very mucb witb ber ro/e ioducted ber ioto
tbe mioistry duriog its expoosioo.

167
In the history oI Parliament...the Iirst chance to address on any issue naturally
would be given to the experienced MPs only. But...though she entered the Lok Sabha
Ior Iirst time, Mrs. Purandeswari got an opportunity, Ielt the need Ior using it very
well and she did well too! For one long year she looked no Iurther. During that year
itselI, she was adjudged as the best parliamentarian oI the year by the
Asian Age, .
The Speaker, Mr. Somanath Chatterjee described her as a good orator.
The UPA Chairperson, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan
Singh, having been satisIied very much with her role inducted her into the ministry
during its expansion. The whole worla seems to be vellow onlv to those people,
who are afflictea with Jaunaice. So, to say... some oI the TDP leaders recently
started spreading scandalous remarks against Mrs. Purandeswari that she was crazy
Ior ministerial position.
In order to enlighten truth, I am compelled to write about an incident here...
Just a week ago bill Ior the restoration oI the Legislative Council was introduced.
The party had issued a three-line whip...that all its members should participate in
voting. During the debate, it so happened some oI the Congress members abused
168
Mr. Rama Rao in Iilthy language. Being his daughter, Mrs. Purandeswari could not
digest it and was about to leave the house, when senior members sitting by her side
requested her not to go...because in a week`s time the cabinet expansion was to take
place in the list oI which her name Iigured.
And Ior any reason, iI she did not participate in voting, it might be against
the whip...resulting in the denial oI her chance to become a minister...but still, she leIt
the house with displeasure on her own party members` remarks against NTR. She
also expressed in clear terms that position was next to nothing Ior her and that she
could not remain just sitting in the house, when her Iather was insulted.
The next day all newspapers carried out the whole episode. Is it possible
to the power-hungry people to resort to similiar act, which Mrs. Purandeswari did in
given circumstances?
As soon as her swearing-in ceremony was over, Mrs. Purandeswari and I
made a curtesy call on Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. She raised the same topic that involved
some persons, who posted Mrs. Soniaji with some kind oI unpleasant inIormation
against Mrs. Purandeswari.
Reacting immediately and while expressing her utmost respect Ior her Iather,
Mrs. Purandeswari brought to the attention oI Mrs. Sonia Gandhi that she was given
membership in the Congress in consideration oI the Iact that she was the daughter oI
Mr. Rama Rao. She Iurther added that...wherever the party meetings were held, she
wanted herselI to get introduced as NTR`s daughter but iI it were an objection to the
party, she was not willing to accept any post.
Having understood her contention in correct perspective, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
praised and encouraged her Ior the respect and reverence she had Ior his Iather.
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi also clariIied that the party would never object to it and she just
reIerred the topic that came-up beIore her.
169
ONTINUOUSLY Ior two days, there were telephone calls to
me Irom Mr. Balakrishna |popularly known as Balaiah|. While
in Hyderabad, I used to play tennis daily in the evening at the
International Centre |Jubilee Hills club|. While driving between my house and the
club, I have to crossover Mr. Balaiah`s place oI residence. As he had been calling me
up Ior the last two days, I visited him at 7 pm, beIore returning home.
Mr. Balaiah, who stays usually in the upstairs, was lying in the room
downstairs taking bed-rest. Earlier, about a month ago...his leg got Iractured, while
shooting Ior a Iilm in Rajasthan Ior which, he had undergone a surgery also. On that
day...he seemed very desperate and depressed.
As soon as he saw me, he got up Irom the bed and began talking. Let me
quote here his own words: Mv life has become a waste...' I will not survive
anvmore...' From tomorrow onwaras chinnamma ana vou are the guaraians
to mv chilaren...Brahmani, Tefu ana Mokshu...whose future now I am entrusting
with vou in vour hanas.
He also revealed me that he was duped by Mr. Bellamkonda Suresh. He
said that the Iracture could not be set right and his leg regain vigour making him
.... . ~ ~.., ~., ...

Be o/so reveo/ed me tbot be wos duped by Mr.

8e//omkoodo 5uresb. Be soid tbot tbe jrocture cou/d
oot be set rigbt ood bis /eg regoio vigour mokiog
bim dijjicu/t to sboot io ji/ms io dooce
sequeoces ood jigbts. wbeo I
cootocted ortbopoedic surgeoos just
o coup/e oj doys ogo, I wos to/d tbot Mr. 8o/oiob
cou/d recover comp/ete/y ood become o// rigbt...ojter
o jew mootbs' rest.

170
diIIicult to shoot in Iilms in dance sequences and Iights. When I contacted orthopaedic
surgeons just a couple oI days ago, I was told that Mr. Balaiah could recover
completely and become all right...aIter a Iew months` rest. ThereaIter, he could act in
Iilms as usually as beIore.
What the surgeons advised Mr. Balaiah was to be courageous without any
anxiety. Whenever I visited Mr. Balaiah at his house, I never spent much time...but,
on seeing his condition that day...I unusually spent nearly 4 hours, had Iood with him
and consoled him. AIter he Iell asleep, I leIt Ior my house.
The next day...when I was proceeding to the Hotel Krishna Oberoy to
attend a Iunction there, my mobile rang at 7.30 pm. It was somebody Irom
Mr. Balaiah`s house, who spoke. I was asked to reach their house immediately, as
some incident took place and Mr. Balaiah was seen talking incoherently. I asked my
driver immediately to reach Mr. Balaiah`s house setting aside the Iunction.
When I reached his home, I saw Mr. Balaiah`s hand bleeding proIusely.
Also present there were the workers...his wiIe Mrs. Vasundhara and co-son-in-law,
Mr. Prasad. Mr. Balaiah was still talking without any relevance. In that hapless situation,
I contacted Care Hospital over phone. Dr. Sarat oI the same hospital was treating
him Ior a Iew days. Within halI an hour, he reached the place and did his best to stop
the bleeding but, his eIIorts to make him sleep, who was almost in depression, Iailed.
Finally, we came to the conclusion to get him shiIted to the hospital and
keep him there under sedation...With Mr. Balaiah in the car immediately we drove
straight to Care Hospital, got him admitted in ICU and put him on sedation. The
Deputy Commissioner oI Police, Mr. Sanjay and the local police, Iiled a case against
him. I was in the hospital Ior the whole night.
The management did not allow the police to record any statement
Irom Mr. Balaiah, as he was in a state oI deep depression. Later, Mrs.Purandeswari
and I along with some oI our relatives were in the hospital Ior three days keeping
constant watch over the status oI his health.
When he recovered a little and with the permission oI the duty doctors, he
was produced beIore the magistrate, who granted permission to get himselI admitted
in NIMS Hospital but not in a private hospital. The director oI NIMS, Dr. Kakarla
Subba Rao, constituted a panel oI doctors and had Mr. Balaiah`s health condition
ascertained. Actually, when his leg was Iractured in an accident, he happened to
171
develop cardiac ailment also,
which most oI the people did
not know.
Just a Iortnight
beIore that incident he was
treated by Dr. Sarat and
Dr. Somaraju in Care
Hospital Ior Iour days. The
panel Iormed by Dr. Subba
Rao scrutinised all reports and arrived at the conclusion that it was necessary to keep
Mr. Balaiah in the hospital...that way he had an opportunity to be there even during
the remand period oI the police.
Je eae| ej te paqe...
172
OUR days later that incident, I read through the columns oI
newspapers that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu convened the
Politburo meeting, which authorised him to meet Mr. Balaiah
in the hospital...At the end, what happened was...when a couple oI guns were Iound
in possession oI the Iilm artiste, Mr. Sanjay Dutt, in his Mumbai house, a case was
Iiled against him, chargesheeted on the basis oI FIR, produced beIore the court oI
law and sentenced to imprisonment.
But...when there was a Iiring virtually took place inside the house oI
Mr. Balaiah, he was not imprisoned even Ior a day...! Whatever might be the reason,
Mr. Balaiah was lucky. To speak about him, he is a simpleton but short-tempered. I
know him very well since childhood days and with shorts. He was very mischievous,
had the habit oI talking nonstop and teasing others without allowing them to speak or
intervene. But now, being a God-Iearing man, he regularly pays devotion and perIorms
pufa a little more than others. As he has some belieI in astrology, he depends more
~ .~

we oever o//ow our cbi/dreo to get tbemse/ves iovo/ved io our

dijjereoces. Lveo todoy...tbey to/k to ooe oootber ood get miog/ed
eosi/y. we o/so wisb tbem to
be so jorever. It wos koowo
to o// tbot Mrs. Puroodeswori
ju/ ji // ed ber port oj
respoosibi/ity by otteodiog
tbe weddiog ce/ebrotioos oj
Lokesb ood 8robmioi...ood
8robmioi wooted tbot my wije
sbou/d do everytbiog to moke
ber tbe bride. 5be is o very oice gir/ ood we wbo/ebeorted/y b/essed
tbe oew/y wedded coup/e oo tbot boppy ood ouspicious occosioo.

173
on it these days. Leaving apart politics, he is very close to Mrs.Purandeswari on
Iamily side. His children have been brought up with culture and are well-disciplined.
When his daughter`s |Brahmini| marriage was Iixed, Mr. Balaiah along with his wiIe
came to our house Iirst and invited us. Mrs. Purandeswari had already drawn a
demarcation line between politics and Iamily matters.
Unlike Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, his son Mr. Lokesh is intelligent. We never
allow our children to get themselves involved in our diIIerences. Even today...they
talk to one another and get mingled easily. We also wish them to be so Iorever. It was
known to all that Mrs. Purandeswari IulIilled her part oI the responsibility by attending
the wedding celebrations oI Lokesh and Brahmini and Brahmini wanted that my wiIe
should do everything to make her the bride. She is a very nice girl and we
wholeheartedly blessed the newly wedded couple on that happy and auspicious
occasion.
Mrs. Purandeswari never allows anybody including me to say anything against
her brothers or sisters. She maintains such a harmonious relationship with all oI them.
II I utter a word against any oI them even occasionally Ior Iun, she never tolerates.
Even today...wherever she may be, she never Iails to call up her brothers and sisters,
greet them heartily particularly on occasions like birthdays or anniversaries oI any
kind.
More so...she regularly sends her birthday wishes to their children also.
And, during Iestival days, she makes telephone calls to each and every member oI
174
the Iamily and shares her happiness. Mr. Harikrishna and she were brought up at
Nimmakur village in Krishna district. The upbringings oI Mr. Harikrishna were taken
care oI by his grandIather, Mr. Nandamuri Lakshmaiah, while that oI
Mrs. Purandeswari`s by her grand mother...Five years later, when Mr. Harikrishna
suIIered Irom smallpox and Mrs. Purandeswari typhoid, they were brought back to
Chennai Ior non availability oI medical and health care Iacilities in their native village.
As they were brought up together, they are naturally aIIectionate and attached
to each other. Both oI them are well-accustomed to village atmosphere and even
today they reminisce their childhood days at Nimmakur.
The way how Mrs. Purandeswari makes her remarks against
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu during her press conIerences is not new today...Ever since
she was elected to the Lok Sabha and whenever occasion arises, she goes on telling
people that the TDP-led by Mr. Chandrababu Naidu is Iake and not the one that
was established by her Iather, Mr. Rama Rao.
All policies oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu are Iraudulent. The reason Ior her
statement is that during last days oI Mr. Rama Rao, she had spent most oI her time
with him, closely observed the high volume oI humiliation and mental torture he suIIered
at that time on account oI all misdeeds and conspiracy caused by Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu...Those indelible impressions Iind expressions through her Ieelings.
AIter the death oI Mr. Rama Rao, Mrs. Purandeswari was totally upset
and had some illusions...like her Iather coming to our house, talking to her, sitting
behind...while perIorming pufa and trying to tell many more things to her`. What I
strongly Ieel now is the inspiration oI Mr. Rama Rao is still there behind her journey
through public liIe today.
Her letter addressed to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu in connection with Tirupati
Mahanaau in 2006...another at the time oI Yuva garfana and a separate one
sent to her brothers...all, reIlect her selI-determination besides selI-conIidence...
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu`s suspicion oI sombody`s hand behind these happenings
was baseless and had no meaning at all...! For that matter, nobody in the Congress
knew anything muchless she discussed about it with anybody...because, none could
inIluence her. Whatever she did in the past and does now...everything, can be attributed
to her...as a duty-bound daughter to a Iather.
175
EAR brothers...!
When brother-in-law rules the house, nothing remains there
for babus to ao. This is a dialogue Irom the Iilm Srikrishna
panaaveevam, in which Lord Srikrishna in disguise utters this to Bheema. The
dialogues highlighting diIIiculties oI the poor, zamindari system and justice Ior the
ryots etc., delivered by Mr. Rama Rao...were nicely and aptly woven in a short Iilm
produced by the TDP leaders, which was used as a weapon to attract the masses Ior
their selIish ends.
NTR had acted in more than 300 Iilms and still appears to people Irom all
walks oI liIe as social reIormer and great saviour with clear vision. Probably, his
Iorethought could have made him responsible to deliver that dialogues.
With what quest Ior power the soul oI NTR was tortured that day with the
same hungry Ior power, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu and his trumpet-blowers were
trying to use the legal heirs oI Nandamuri Iamily as pawns...That kind oI situation
Iorced me to remember dialogue oI Lord Srikrishna and made me Ieel how true it
was to the core oI its sense...!
.~.~~. ~ . ~. . .

Mr. Borikrisboo wbo wos kept o/ooj jor yeors togetber wos brougbt
bock ogoio io c/oser cootocts ood mode o member oj tbe Po/itburo,
wos to be we//-uoderstood os eye-
wosb'. It's reo//y surprisiog to koow
tbot Mr. Borikrisboo vowed to sbed
bis /ost drop oj b/ood jor o moo
ood moke bim tbe Cbiej Mioister,
wbo iosu/ted bim ood /et dowo bis
owo jotber...Mr. komo koo...! Is
Boribobu'...o powo ot tbe boods oj bis brotber-io-/ow or octiog oo
bis owo?

176
Let me recollect that during the struggle oI 1995, Mr. Harikrishna was Iully
used as a pawn, made a minister but when he won the Assembly seat, he was insulted
by not accommodating him in any post. With a simple Iore-thought iI he was allowed
to be in state politics, he might become another power-centre`...! He was moved to
the Rajya Sabha, which should be noted.
Mr. Harikrishna who was kept alooI Ior years together was brought back
again in closer contacts and made a member oI the Politburo was to be well-understood
as eve-wash. It`s really surprising to know that Mr. Harikrishna vowed to shed his
last drop oI blood Ior a man and make him the ChieI Minister, who insulted him and
let down his own Iather...Mr. Rama Rao...Is Haribabu ...a pawn at the hands oI his
brother-in-law or acting on his own?
When Mr. Rama Rao announced Mr. Balaiah as his successor, NTR was
pressurised and made his statement withdrawn...When Mr. Balaiah was in the Intensive
Care Unit |ICU| oI NIMS Hospital, the Politburo`s permission was needed to visit
that ailing man. A person...who widely publicised once that he would act above
Iamily relationships...recently has identiIied not only the necessity oI such relationships
but also Ielt the need oI the kins oI such Iamily.!
Mr. Balaiah also became necessary to prevent one oI the sons Irom making
a public announcement Iurther that his uncle Mr. Balaiah would be the next ChieI
177
Minister...Again, Mr. Balaiah was used as a pawn to prevail upon the antagonised
junior NTR to get him cooled down.! A person, who never honoured relationships
earlier was trying to bring them into his Iold in view oI elections seemed to be his new
deIinition Ior relationship. Perhaps the individuality oI Mr. Balaiah babu seemed to
have gone Ior a short-slumber.
He, who said that Mr. Harikrishna and Mr. Balaiah were not crowd-pullers
and he too could attract crowds Ior his meetings, pitiably depended on them and
requested Mr. Junior NTR too Ior a star appearance in one such meeting. Having
disappointed with his absence, when Mr. Junior NTR didn`t turn up, he openly
boasted in a Iace-saving bid that nothing was lost...! Was that a credit oI bavaiah
or babus? So, iI that dialogue delivered by Mr. Rama Rao through the mouth oI
Lord Srikrishna was included in the short Iilm, it could have been complete.
During my Iour and a halI years oI public liIe...many pungent remarks had
been circulated against me...some cried that though Mr. Rama Rao started the TDP
against the Congress, I joined the Congress in quest oI power...yet, some Ielt I was
making statements against Mr. Chandrababu Naidu with unsound mind...A Iew others
roared that I was in queue at the door-step oI the TDP, having Iailed and with great
disappointment, I joined the Congress...Some vestea interest and a Iew great
persons remarked that ever since the announcement was made Ior the Yuva garfana,
I was talking irrelevant in an agitated mind.
That particular day...I virtually tried my best to stop Dr. Venkateswara Rao
Irom going to the Hotel Viceroy Ior which I had witnesses also...but, some
unscrupulous elements were repeatedly telling that I gave him the green signal.
When said earlier...there was enough prooI available to show that Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu wanted to get NTR`s photograph removed and his` placed, nobody raised
their voice...!
178
Being the members oI my Iamily, all oI you know me very well. During your
hardtimes I stood by you to the best oI my knowledge and ability expecting nothing
Irom you...! BeIore joining the Congress, I visited everyone oI you...at your
door-steps and inIormed you about it as my courtesy demanded and indeed I Ielt as
my responsibility to...All oI you blessed me...! None oI you stopped nor advised me
to rethink.
I never stepped out oI my house any day as long as I was perIorming as a
duty-minded homemaker...! But...when I campaigned Ior elections, nobody Irom
you enquired about my welIare.
I was able to manage everything with the blessings oI my beloved parents...!
As a daughter, I could not tolerate injustice being meted out to my Iather... I had
known his mind and personally seen his suIIerings...! I also saw such a great
personality...who never bowed his head to anyone, agonising with insults and
humiliations...I started the agitation as a responsible daughter... It was not just my
responsibility alone...but oI all his children too.
You said that you had already transIerred me into the hands oI a person and
your sister too had the culture to Iollow his Ioot-prints...But, just by handing me over
to that person, I did not construe my relationship with you as a sister ended. I how
could I believe that the injustice done to our Iather could be easily wiped out, just
with the change oI my surname aIter my marriage...?
179
During his last days...our Iather, who never cursed anybody, expressed his
own suIIerings and agony in many interviews on various occasions...His own words
are written in a compact disc |CD|, which is wrapped herewith Ior your intimate
hearing.
It may not be a surprise and I know it very well...tomorrow all newspapers
may publish aifferent statements oI the TDP leaders and the bigwigs, according
to their own whims ana fancies reporting that I did all those, expecting some party
Iavours, post or honour...!
They may go to extent oI adding spice that...I did it at the instance oI
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi...or...executed the mission as per the dictates oI Dr. Rajasekhara
Reddy...but, everyone knew who was at the helm oI aIIairs instigating the TDP
leaders to come down heavily on me...!
Thus,when brother-in-law rules the house, nothing remains there for
babus to ao. In my opinion the responsibility oI the heirs lies in identiIying the
agony oI their Iather...And, as part oI my own responsibility, I am sending this CD to
you...I hope that you will realise without Iail...the true agony oI our Iather and the
wild-cry oI his soul and act accordingly...!
|Daggubati Purandeswari|
Sister...with love
180
OMING to Iactual details...Mr. Rama Rao during his last
days...prepared a selI-audition and got it written in a CD
Iormat explaining his inner Ieelings in words with view to
reaching people. He proceeded to the Gemini Stuaios and
participated in Dharmapeetam programme, through which he exposed the true
colours oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
~.. .~.~.~

I bow my beod io booour oj your decisioo. 1bot's reo/ democrocy.

Beoce, coste your votes witbout jeor to o porty, wbicb up/ijts
democrocy ood to o porty, tbot bestows o good sbope to
iodepeodeoce, we bove ocquired...! vote is your birtbrigbt...doo't
woste it...doo't use it otberwise witb timidity. witb o stroog
wi//power jorge obeod witb o jee/iog tbot's my couotry...Creote o
good ootioo...!!

181
Besides that he narrated his views on many occasions, which had not reached
the people at all. As the media was also under his thumb, when Mr. Chandrababu
Naidu was the ChieI Minister, most oI the inIormation, which Mr.Rama Rao wanted
to convey the people, could not happen...!
Even the eIIorts oI Mrs. Purandeswari Ior retrieval oI data could not succeed
Ior many days. But...one day it so happened that an unidentiIied person, seemed to
have dropped a CD in our house, which contained all those inIormation oI NTR. As
we were not told about its contents, the CD was lying on a table Ior some days...Later,
when we played it, we heard to our surprise the revelation oI Mr. Rama Rao during
his last days.
Though we were trying Ior such a document since long, the same thing
reached us unexpectedly...It happened only at the God`s will...The contents oI the
CD were as exactly as Iollows: Here speaks your Anna |brother|...! Please listen
to me careIully...!! Rule your mind with intelligence and command me with your
decision...You know that people are my devotees...WelIare oI people is my breath,
serving them is my divinity and my liIe is dedicated Ior the upliIt oI
downtrodden...That`s why I Ieel your support like a mountain oI strength, your
enlightenment is my pulse, whatever you say is law, what you do is right and hence, I
am placing everything beIore you |the people`s court|.
The whole history with sequence oI events since inception till now I reveal
here to let you know...what`s good and what`s bad, what`s true and what`s Ialse...You
are the judges to the war between perIection and greediness, between sacriIice and
selIishness and between righteousness and deception.
You are to decide, who the victor is...! I have launched the Telugu Desam
Partv in 1983...Elections came in 1994...With 224 seats the TDP Iormed the
government. But some anti-elements within the party started conspiring because,
they could not oppose the greatness oI the party.
The main piller oI conspiracy and Iraud, the centre-point oI reinIorcement
is Chandrababu...so-called my son-in-law, who ignited a Iire into my heart. You all
know...what he was, beIore the TDP was started...Yes, he was in the Congress,
opposed the TDP and boasted that he would contest against me. That tiny
grasshopper...he was washed away by the TDP wave.
182
Finally, the TDP emerged victorious. When we came to power, he came to
join the party...some people advised me not to entertain him. But, since he
repentea and with broad-mindedness...I admitted him into the party and made him
comIortable with important portIolios. UnIortunately, I could not make out that he
joined the party...only Ior power but not Ior the welIare oI people.
Only with problems oI people in mind, I could not have an eye on his
activities...like Iaction-politics and encouraging Iormation oI groups. I could not even
imagine that he was so much power-hungrv. I could not guess because oI him, the
government...duly and democratically elected by the people...had to bow down...!
People`s verdict itselI would go a waste because oI him, democracy would be
subjected to muraer in a broad daylight and Ior the sake oI power... he would
resort to such a mean and horrible method oI back-stabbing...!! They had created
an allegation that infustice was done to the party workers... Injustice to whom?
No injustice was done to any oI the party workers or to my brothers, who
worked with dedication, sincerity and enjoyed the Iaith oI people...II at all any
deIiciency had taken place, it was Ior the opportunists only. Chandrababu... that
gentleman, that tiger in disguise oI a goat and that honev-coatea
swora...Iormed groups and they were alone aIIected along with Iraudulent workers
and middlemen, who were by his side.
This back-stabbing had happened not only to me but also to you as
people Ior the votes you exercised to the democracy you believed and to the ideals,
you trusted. That Chandrababu...who was prepared Ior the ugliest, came with Iolded
183
hands saying that he would implement the policies oI NTR, was much worse than
Goase, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
It`s shameIul...!, Unpardonable crime...!! Why had they done this? Why
had they back-stabbea me? What...? What`s the mistake oI NTR? What...? What`s
the crime committed by Rama Rao? Was it wiping the tears oI my sisters... by signing
the Iile oI prohibition immediately aIter swearing-in as the ChieI Minister? When the
rates were soaring, was my decision a crime to give rice Ior Rs. 2 a kg and reduce
the burden oI poor people over-riding advice to give rice at Rs. 3.50 a kg? What`s
the crime I committed?
Perhaps, my crime in the eyes oI those great people was to give electricity
to toiling Iarmers at Rs. 50 a horsepower per year bearing the diIIiculties, Iinancial
embarrassment to the government and keeping up my promises made to people.
Wasn`t NTR being useIul behind selIish motives oI huge industrialists on one side
and liquor barrens on the other and not becoming a puppet in their hands Ior increase
in their income Ior selIish gains? That`s probably my crime...then they were the
gentlemen and the saviors oI democracy... You have to decide whether they are
saviors or swallowers oI democracy.
The people asked rice at Rs. 2 a kg, I gave...! My sisters wanted prohibition
to be implemented, I did...I had told Iarmers that I would give electricity at Rs. 50 a
horsepower per annum, I gave...So, we had seen Iaith kept on us by the people...!
Long ago...in the history, there were emperors, who jailed their own Iathers Ior the
sake oI kingdom oI power.
There was a brother... Aurangazeb, who killed his own brothers. It`s
unIortunate that aIter some hundreds oI years, such a hapless system occurred today
in the history oI Teluguites in our state, which`s our misIortune. It`s just my sin that
such degrade and insult had to be experienced by whole oI the Telugu race.
Because being my own people, they had deceived the nation and brought
an indelible stain on democracy Ior which I Ieel ashamed oI. When I started the party
in 1982, people kept Iaith in me...That day...within a duration oI 9 months, they gave
me votes and made me win. For that...they very well know what kind oI service, I
rendered them.
Not only that...when I made the governance at doorstep oI people on August
17 to 22...in Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram...the so-calledgreat
184
persons...who degraded and insulted the Telugu race, told people...that there`s no
party without Rama Rao and it`s Iunctional, only because oI him...Rama Rao was
our leader, we`re all behind him...hence, the honour and the greatness...!
Having paid those encomiums...why had they totally changed in the evening
oI August 23? Man is born...the God had given him selIishness... otherwise, he would
have been like the God...! Because oI that beastly nature in him, man was unable to
reach divinity...because oI that they were deceiving one another.
Changing colours and quest Ior power were well within their strategies...
Because, the person whom you were asking Ior was in the Congress...he might be
my son-in-law...I did not deny that he was in the Congress. The moment he was
deIeated, he came to the TDP and promised me that he would completely dedicate
himselI to my policies... but, the greed in his mind had not leIt.
Though I gave him a number oI portIolios, he involved in his own
back-stabbing trials, steadily expanding his crowd and group. I could not notice
that...there was no necessity Ior it either... my mind was always preoccupied with
service and welIare activities, I had to take up Ior the beneIit oI the poor. But...I
never bothered about, who was in the party and what was his mind-set. I didn`t have
the habit oI viewing them that way. Even today, I didn`t Iollow it as my tradition...The
TDP got 214 seats, contrary to the expectations oI anybody, anytime and anywhere.
185
Later, with new entrants...we had 224 seats...! That`s why, they could not
do anything... Had we got 130 or 140 seats, they could have done anything. We
deserved it, because the stage was already set...He lured everyone with money, let
me not name him...he didn`t deserve it. He gave Rs. 5 lakh to a Iew and Rs. 10 lakh
to some during elections, saying that: I am giving this for elections ana vou must
be mv men.
He gradually developed his groups. But...when the TDP got 224 seats along
with its allies, their foul-game could not continue. They had no option but to elect
only N.T. Rama Rao as their leader. But...his wish to became the ChieI Minister
either by hook or by crook, did not die...!
Only with that hope, he developed a group...It`s a planned treachery. We
started the party with great ideals. But...selIish persons joined. Ants built anthills...but
serpents came and lived in it. Similarly, the party Iell into the hands oI some selIish
Iellows. Because oI their unIortunate and selIish politics, it got imprisoned too... Hence,
I let you know...party would never succumb to such policies...! In distinct vision oI
the party, the people were the deities and the society is the abode oI divinity.`
Son-in-law be Iorgiven? Listen to in NTR`s own words: 'Lion...! I`m the
lion...! NTR is the lion...! And, lion is the king oI all animals...cannot tolerate any
insult...Hence, the way how things happened to me, in what way I was deceived,
how the persons whom I thought as my own...let me down...all known to people.
Still, I Ieel it as my responsibility and duty to tell people... I am the
representative oI people...iI anything happens to me, I Ieel it duty-bound to let them
know. Chandrababu committed a ghastly act, which even the God will never Iorgive...!
It will not be Iorgotten by the race and the history... You are the judges. You have to
decide as to which type oI politics you need and how the democracy should be.
I bow my head in honour oI your decision. That`s real democracy. Hence,
caste your votes without Iear to a party, which upliIts democracy and to a party,
which bestows a good shape to independence, we have acquired...Vote is your
birthright... don`t waste it...don`t use it otherwise with timidity. With a strong
willpower...Iorge ahead with a Ieeling that`s my country...Create a good nation...!
186
HILE writing this book, only...a Iew months were leIt Ior next
general elections. In his book Manasul o-maata,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu commented that everything was
waste. With elections round the corner...now, he goes on making free promises
implying free-power, free-rice, interest-free loans and removal oI beltshops
and the like to woo gullible voters.

Iioo//y...tbe Cbiej Mioister, 0r. kojosekboro keddy, witb

successju/ imp/emeototioo oj bis we/jore-orieoted scbemes
/ike...rice jor ks. 2 o kg. {ooce /ouocbed by R1k], Iodirommo'
bouses jor tbe poor, jree-power to jorm sector, Jo/o-yogoom',
Arogyosree,' ood jiooocio/ ossistooce jor womeo ot o po/try
ioterest-rote oj 0.25 poise...bos o/reody beeo oo o tour oj tbe
stote, oddressiog mossive pub/ic meetiogs ood mommotb
gotberiogs io rood-sbows.

187
With freebies as poll
promises, he signiIicantly assumes a
new incarnation as free-
Babu... undertakes Meekosam
vatra, tours all places in the state,
solicits a grand presence oI
NTRfamilv members with sons,
grandsons and delivers slogan-
oriented l ectures. . .implicitly
conveying people oI Andhra Pradesh
amessage that iI he becomes the
ChieI Minister again, benefits will
be naakosam |for his sake| and
vatra meekosam, |for the sake
of people|.
On the other hand...the
matinee idol, Mr. Chiranjeevi by
launching oI the Prafa Rafvam
Partv, has undertaken Prafa ankitham vatra. Promising people that he will bring
in a revolutionary change...and begs Ior a chance to be the ChieI Minister.
Finally...the ChieI Minister, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy, with successIul
implementation oI his welIare-oriented schemes like...rice Ior Rs. 2 a kg. |once
launched by NTR|, Inairamma houses Ior the poor, Iree-power to Iarm sector,
Jala-vagnam, Arogvasree, and Iinancial assistance Ior women at a paltry interest-
188

rate oI 0.25 paise...has already been on a tour oI the state, addressing massive
public meetings and mammoth gatherings in road-shows.
Meanwhile, nobody knew what bait Mr. Chandrababu Naidu oIIered
Mr. Balakrishna, Mr. Junior NTR and Iew other members oI the Iamily, they were all
dragged on to the road. While on electioneering in our village oI Prakasam district,
Mr. Balaiah came in Iront oI our house and threw a challenge, like how he used to do
in Iilms to attract the masses...Contrary to the tradition and culture oI respecting our
near and dear Mr. Balaiah`s behaviour was disliked by the people. At the least, even
his own Ians also hated his attitude with a Ieeling that how the siblings oI Mr. Rama
Rao could become so mean and cheap.
Similarly, Iorgetting his own stature Mr. Junior NTR started abusing
Mrs. Sonia Gandhi... Iinally, having met with an accident, he had to abandon his
campaigning. Considering that the both needed some kind oI enlightenment, I append
a copy oI my letter written to Mr. Balaiah in the next chapter.
189
EAR Balaiah...!
I have been going through newspapers between the lines Ior
the past Iew days besides watching TV channels too. You have
been very outspoken about your Iather...that he is adored by
Andhras, brought Iame and name Ior Teluguites even Irom distant lands and also
criticizing the government.
Similarly you are talking much about Chandrababu Naidu also. The huge
crowds are seen... Very happy...! As I have seen you Irom your tender age and still
like you very much, I want to discuss and share certain issues with you here in this
letter.
From your words... I am reminded oI the incidents oI August 1995, when
your Iather was dethroned as the ChieI Minister. On that day, you came to Hyderabad
straight Irom Visakhapatnam; proceeded to the chamber oI Mr. Chandrababu Naidu,
who was the Minister Ior Revenue... Irom there Mr. Harikrishna was contacted over
telephone. When he had reIused to come down, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was about
to leave Ior his place oI residence...!
, . ., .~. ~

1odoy, we proise your jotber os o greot persoo; but beiog bis

jomi/y members, we were o//
tbe portoers io metiog out
iojustice to bim. 1be moo
wbo wos respoosib/e is Mr.
Cboodrobobu Roidu. Be
to/ked si//y obout you tbot
doy; I doo't koow wbot be
to/d you oow ood mokes you room oo tbe roods.

190
However, Mr.Harikrishna came to the chamber and in the evening all oI
you waited in my house, subsequently invited me to come to the Hotel Viceroy. I
started to the venue against the advice oI Chinnamma |Mrs.Purandeswari| That
way, I had also participated in the sin committed.But, one thing still remains
understandable to me.
What was that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu told both oI you and got mentally
prepared you to throw your Iather out oI position. Because, personally he himselI
told me that he would be the ChieI Minister and me his deputy. We came out and
when Mr. Harikrishna told me that he would like to be a minister, I told him that I
didn`t want any ministry but he could very well be in the ministry | Mr.Harikrishna
may be asked, even today|.
What happened next was.aIter going to the Hotel Viceroy,
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu called me aside and wanted me to tell you that your Iather
would be removed and he would replace him. I was shocked and asked
Mr.Chandrababu Naidu What is that vou tola the chilaren [Harikrishna ana
Balakrishna{ ana maae them come over here. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu replied
most casually that he told you both something, with a hint that you didn`t have much
intelligence to understand everything. Later, when I came and told you, you looked
at me with sheer innocence.!
Today, we praise your Iather as a great person; but being his Iamily members,
we were all the partners in meting out injustice to him. The man who was responsible
is Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. He talked silly about you that day; I don`t know what he
told you now and makes you roam on the roads.
You say that you don`t mind, iI your sister Mrs. Purandeswari gets into the
party but will not invite on your own. II you get into the past, you may remember how
Mr.Chandrababu Naidu behaved once his desire was IulIilled. When I went to his
house, he had sent me away right Irom the gate itselI without meeting. At last, he
told Mr.Venkaiah Naidu not to give me a BJP ticket, was known to all. Finally, to see
that I was deIeated, he came by helicopter and gave Rs.2 crore to my opponent.
Now, with what Iace Chinnamma would come?
I am happy that you gave your best complements that Chinnamma earned
good name. You also said that she was the right candidate in a wrong party, Ior
which time will answer. At present.the party in which we are associated with is
191
being led by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Dr.Manmohan Singh. Dr.Manmohan is a great
world-renowned economist. Many oI the economists, who worked in the World
Bank and the IMF are his students. As the Finance Minister in 1991, the economic
reIorms, he had introduced were Iollowed by the Vajpayee Government, the National
Front and even West Bengal Government. Even today, those reIorms are being
Iollowed. Similarly the way Mrs.Sonia Gandhi is encouraging the meritorious people
and leading the party is worth commendable.
Against many pressures Chinnammas merit is given weightage. How can
we take Mr.Chandrababu Naidu`s TDP |your Iather categorically told in his recorded
speech that the present Telugu Desam was not his`| as ideal one? How Mr.
Chandrababu Naidu, who is shedding crocodile tears on corruption, acquired property
is known to all oI us.but, relatively one may be a bit great and the other a bit less|.
Regarding so-called principles,.Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, who once said
that agriculture was a waste, never implemented Mr. Rama Rao`s schemes like rice
Ior Rs 2 per kg and electricity Ior ryotes at Rs 50 a horsepower during 9 years oI his
rule. But now uses NTR`s name delivering lectures and chanting freebies mantra,
192
cannot be believed. Coming to law and order situation, it is Ioolishness to talk
something..without recollecting incidents that happened in our own Iamily.
Mr. Rama Rao cannot be compared with others. When his schemes are
being implemented by the Congress with all sincerity, the same were removed during
the tenure oI Mr.Chandrababu Naidu. But still boasting that they are the heirs oI
NTR`s ideals isn`t objectionable ? It is true that people are laughing at this.
Mr. Chandrababu, who was in power Ior 9 years, could not help erect the statue oI
Mr. Rama Rao in spite oI having close ties with the National Front and having his
own man Mr. Balayogi as the Speaker. When the government proposed to erect
Mr. Rama Rao`s statue, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu kept silent and saw that it wasn`t
done. He is now perIorming pufas oI NTR statues. In what way it is justiIied?
Similarly keeping silent Ior 9 years, now making a big roar Ior Bharat
Ratna Ior Mr.Rama Rao is not correct. When he objected to the removal oI his
name Irom Hyderabad Airport, you should know Iirst oI all what eIIorts did he make
by him. Not even once Mr. Chandrababu Naidu requested or wrote a letter to the
Central Government headed by the NDA.
It was Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, who took initiative in naming the airport aIter
NTR. You may not know when he said that Mr. Rama Rao`s photo should go and
his` be replaced with. II you ask the Delhi Bureau ChieI oI Eenaau, Mr. Krishna
Rao, he will tell you everything in detail and what Mr. Chandrababu Naidu told him.
Why to tell you.? When NTR`s photo was removed Irom receipt books oI
membership, he had to maintain status quo`, when party activists strongly revolted.
All oI us think that IT development in the state is only due to the eIIorts oI
Mr.Chandrababu Naidu. It was widely publicised that internet and computer were
invented by him. It appears that you too are mentioning the same in your political
speeches. The truth is soItware Iield was well-developed in those days throughout
the country. When Mr. Chandrababu became the ChieI Minister, it ranked 4
th
place
and when he was deIeated, in 2004 elections, it remained the same. Karnataka is in
Iirst place then and even now.
You received laurels Irom people with your histrionic talents by acting in
Iilms like Samarasimha Reaav, Narasimhanaiau ana Panaurangaau and made
us proud. You know Chinnamma has special aIIection Ior you and Mr.Hari than
Ior others in the Iamily. When she came out alone, you did not know how much
agony she suIIered. But today, when you said that you would contest against her, she
193
blessed you and that was her culture. By the God`s grace and with the blessings oI
her parents, she is IulIilling her responsibilities with selI-conIidence, but not Ior anything.
You know well that the speeches she made at national and international
Iorums were acclaimed by one and all. Those speeches were compiled and published
in a book Iorm IN QUEST OF UTOPIA . Elite persons and intellectuals, who read the
book are praising and sending complements. Veterans like Dr. Akkineni Nageswara
Rao are Ieeling proud oI her. The Prime Minister himselI said she is an asset to our
cabinet.
What he had told and brought you there during the incident oI
August 1995.I think now also.he could have told you something similar and made
you talk. Mr.Chandrababu Naidu deIinitely doesn`t know the meaning oI INQUEST
OF UTOPIA But he is an expert in doing Irauds like these. I have seen in TV channels.
Your throat is aIIected and become sore. I read in newspapers that road-shows
are continued past midnight. Take care oI your health.!
Always desirous oI your welIare,
:Bava'
Copy to :
Mr. Nandamuri Jayakrishna
Mr. Nandamuri Harikrishna
Mr. Nandamuri Mohanakrishna
Mr. Nandamuri Ramakrishna
Mr. Nandamuri Jayasankarakrishna
194
EVERAL were the categories oI NTR Ians...! II
classiIied, they matched the Iollowing pairs oI extremity: Fanatics
and introverts; well-educated and illiterates; old and youth;
menIolk and womenIolk; aIIluents and poor; state-wide and country-wide...and so
on!! II I go on listing such, the list would go endless. His Ians will never conIined to
a particular caste, community or even religion.
I practically identiIied the truth, when I toured throughout Andhra Pradesh.
The Muslims largely came under Ianatics group. A Ian, who hailed Irom Cuddapah
was calledNTR Basha...
Members Irom the Kapu
community were very
aIIectionate towards NTR and
Mr. Vangaveeti Mohana
Ranga Rao was very proudly
to tell others that he was a Ian
oI him.
There were also
Ians Irom the Reaaies, like
Nellore Ramesh Reddy. Many
; ..... ~. ~. ..

1be CRR-1v cboooe/ receot/y cooducted o

survey to koow, wbo's most popu/or omoog 1e/ugu
peop/e wor/dwide. It wos reveo/ed tbot R1k...wos
extreme/y specio/ to 70% oj peop/e surveyed...!
5imi/or/y, be is tbe most ojjectiooote moo eveo
todoy...!!

195
number oI Ians were very close to NTR. They were crazy and
got NTR`s name tattooed. There`s no need to narrate the Ieelings
oI such Ians, those hailed Irom the Khamma community.
The Yaaavas Irom the Backward Classes too
Ielt happy, when they saw their matinee idol in the costume
oI Lora Sri Krishna. They thought as iI NTR had hailed
Irom their own community. All walls oI houses oI the
weavers were nailed with NTR portraits...! In the role
oI Jeerabrahmam, he attracted his Ians oI that
community, who virtually worshiped him as
Goa.
Innumerable were Ians also Irom the
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
However, the role oI NTR Ians in party
matters and activities was very much limited.
As Iar as possible, I shouldered the responsibility
oI gathering them. In the process, popular Ians like
Mr. Sripathi Rajeswara Rao |MLA-Minister|, Mr.
Saibabu |Chairman, Physically Handicapped
Corporation|, Mr. NTR Raju |Member, Tirumala
Tirupati Devasthanam Board|, Mr. Nellore Ramesh
Reddy |MLA-Minister|, Ongole Dr. Prabhakar Rao
|Chairman, Central Bank|, Mr. Bezawada Prakash,
Mr. Kurnool Mohana Reddy |MLA-Minister|, Mr.
Srikakulam Ramana, Vizag Military Naidu |MLA-
Minister|, Mr. Nandigama Sambasivarao, West
Godavari Sitarama Raju, Karimnagar Kalyanapu
Anjaiah, Anatapur Pandu Ranga Rao, Adilabad
Butchilingam | Municipal Chairman|, Mehaboobnagar
Gattu Bhimudu |MLA|, Mr. Maganti Gopinath
|Hyderabad|...who got acquainted with me, maintain
harmonious relations even today.
In order to clear doubts whether NTR is
remembered by the present generation leaving apart
196
the groups oI his Ians oI the past...the CNN-TV channel recently, conducted a
survey...to know, who`s most popular among Telugu people worldwide. It was
revealed that NTR...was extremely special to 70 oI people surveyed...! Similarly,
he is the most aIIectionate man even today...!! For all aIIection oI Ians Mr. Rama Rao
had earned, he might not be grateIul to the members oI his Iamily...but to his Ians
alone, who never expected anything Irom him...because, NTR`s aIIection too was
above caste, community, religion and the least selIishness.
Elections 2009 : The Congress candidates got elected in 157 Assembly
and 33 parliamentary constituencies. The crux in the election was that the TDP
candidates spent more money than the Congress candidates!
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu adopted coercive methods. He threatened the
contractors working under Jala vagnam and collected huge sums oI money. He
distributed Rs.2 crore a constituency Ior the victory oI the TDP candidates.
Still, the people`s verdict was against it. They opted Ior the Congress under
the dynamic leadership oI Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan
Singh, took the reigns Ior the second consecutive term. Mrs. Purandeswari once
again became the Union Minister oI State Ior Human Resource Development. In
Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy also got elected as ChieI Minister Ior the
second successive term.
The historic victory reIlected on the able leadership oI Mrs. Soniaji,
Dr. Manmohanji, Mr.Rahul Gandhi in the country and the workmanship oI
Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy in the state.