One common question I encounter since moving out from Hyderabad is what I miss most about Telangana after spending more than 13 years over there. My usual answer is – The genuine warmth and camaraderie of the people in Telangana. Unfortunately, despite the unwavering trust shown by the people of Telangana formerly part of Andhra Pradesh, they have not been treated fairly by the past Governments. For an extended period, Andhra Pradesh trailed other South Indian states in per capita income, education quality, living standards, job availability, opportunities, and industrial development. The reasons were mainly lack of good leadership, subservient leaders and constant politicking by the congress leaders. The Congress party has a track record of engaging in narrow-minded politics driven by parochial interests. They have a lengthy history of neglecting its esteemed leaders or heroes who do not belong to the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.
PM Modi often emphasises that the Congress’s current political landscape is dominated by dynasty-based politics, which primarily benefits a single family. He often criticises the opposition, stating that it operates solely for the interests of one family and operates on the principle of being a party of the family, by the family, and for the family. And when we analyse the history of Telangana formerly part of Andhra Pradesh we find that these not mere allegations; they are indeed undeniable facts that cannot be disputed.
Indeed, the instances of deception against Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the era of instability, betrayal of NTR, and abandonment of PV Narasimha Rao are undeniable facts of history which I have discussed below in detail.
In 1969, a notable event unfolded where the Congress, under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, demonstrated disregard for Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, a prominent figure from Andhra Pradesh. Despite initially backing Reddy and even accompanying him during his presidential nomination filing, Mrs. Gandhi subsequently tacitly encouraged Congress members to oppose him, leading to his defeat—a stark example of political deceit.
During the 1950s to the 1980s, Andhra Pradesh experienced a period of instability characterised by the Congress party’s frequent rotation of state leadership. This practice, which often disregarded stability and public desires, resulted in the appointment of over ten Chief Ministers, with three serving in the year 1982 alone.
In 1982, Rajiv Gandhi, newly appointed as Congress General Secretary, publicly embarrassed T. Anjaiah, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, upon his arrival at Begumpet airport. This incident deeply affected Anjaiah, highlighting the perceived lack of respect the Congress party showed towards Telugu leaders.
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) too faced a dangerous ploy orchestrated by the Congress even after his groundbreaking electoral triumph. This entailed his removal from the Chief Minister’s office in a coup led by Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, a member of NTR’s own cabinet. The government under Indira Gandhi dismissed NTR’s Telugu Desam government with the aid of a compliant Governor, inciting rebellion within the regional party. This incident offered Congress-backed dissidents an opportunity to sway the allegiance of MLAs prior to the assembly session, a blatant departure from established norms. The image of a frail NTR being conveyed to the President’s residence, accompanied by 161 supporting MLAs, remains vivid in the collective memory of the Telugu people.
The Congress party, especially its dynastic leadership, seemed to hold a grudge against individuals outside their family who attained prominence. PV Narasimha Rao, a grassroots politician who ascended to the position of Prime Minister, spearheaded crucial economic reforms. However, even in demise, he encountered disrespect from the Congress party led by Sonia Gandhi. His remains were barred from entering the Congress party office for tributes and were refused passage on the road. This occurrence highlighted the perceived absence of regard that the Congress showed towards the Telugu people.
On the other hand, we see that Modi government is recognising forgotten or discarded leaders irrespective of their parties and honouring for leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s history. PV Narasimha Rao’s contributions to India, especially in the realm of economic reforms, have been significant. The posthumous conferment of the Bharat Ratna upon him is a fitting tribute to his visionary leadership and the indelible mark he has left on India’s development trajectory. His legacy continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the transformative power of determined leadership and bold reforms. By celebrating such leaders, political parties like the BJP is helping to preserve the rich tapestry of India’s historical and political landscape while fostering a sense of continuity and respect for the past.
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