Paying glowing tributes to leaders and eminent persons who spread ‘Telugu glory’ far and wide on the occasion of Andhra Pradesh Formation Day today, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu asserted that his party would continue to work for making the Telugu community one of the topmost in the world.
“Telugu people have made a mark in various fields not only in the country but also in many parts of the world. The TDP was born for the Telugus and would always strive to enhance the glory of the community in the world,” Mr. Naidu said addressing a gathering after hoisting the national flag at NTR Bhavan on the occasion.
He lashed out at the Congress for “constantly insulting” the Telugu community in one form or the other.
“The recent move by the State government to rename the cultural auditorium ‘Telugu Lalita Kala Toranam’ after Rajiv Gandhi is yet another instance where Congress sought to bring disgrace to Telugus. The Congress’ history is replete with such instances,” he said.
Recalling that Telugu Desam Party founder-president N T Rama Rao brought unique recognition to the Telugus, Mr. Naidu however, lamented that the current Congress government took the State back by 30 years.
“The scenario that prevailed in the State prior to 1982 is repeating in the State now. The Congress government that is steeped in deep corruption has made the situation the worst in 30 years,” the Leader of Opposition noted.
Mr. Naidu made only one reference to Telangana in his 15-minute address saying people of the region got real freedom only after the then Chief Minister N T Rama Rao abolished the ’Patel-Patwari’ (village heads) system.
Incidentally, TDP leaders from Telangana region, barring Parliamentary Party leader Nama Nageswara Rao and former minister K Vijaya Rama Rao, stayed away from the AP Formation Day function in the party headquarters.
The Telangana leaders were observing “betrayal day” today to protest the amalgamation of the then Hyderabad state with Andhra, leading to the formation of Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier, Mr. Naidu paid floral tributes to Potti Sriramulu, who laid down his life for the formation of Andhra State, and ’Telugu Talli’ statues near the State Secretariat.
