Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today turned nostalgic and recalled his initial days in politics while also sharing memories of former CM and his father-in-law N T Rama Rao.
Naidu, who celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary today, became emotional while addressing the Legislative Council.
In an informal interaction with journalists following his Council address, Naidu recalled various political instances of the past, including his invitation to Telugu film icon N T Rama Rao to join politics and his demand for resignation of Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister post-Godhra incidents.
Naidu, who married NTR's second daughter Bhuvaneswari, told reporters, "Our marriage took place in Chennai. It was a grand affair with leading film and political personalities from across the country in attendance. We neither sought any dowry nor did he (NTR) offer us anything. NTR offered us a house built for his son Balakrishna (a film star and MLA) in Chennai, but I rejected."
"I once met NTR on the sets of his film 'Anuraga Devata' and said people like him should join politics to cleanse the political system," he claimed.
Naidu was a minister in the Congress government in 1980 and remained in the party even after NTR founded Telugu Desam in March 1982. After losing the Assembly election in 1983, he joined TDP.
"I wanted to contest an MLC election when I was just 23-years-old, without realising I was underage. I became an MLA at the age of 28 and used to be aggressive. I went to then Chief Minister Marri Channa Reddy and asked him to make me a minister. He shot back saying 'You are so young and you want to be a minister straightaway!' Later, I was inducted into the Cabinet headed by T Anjaiah," Naidu said.
The TDP supremo also recalled his demand for the resignation of then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over the Godhra incidents.
"I sought his resignation at that time. But I later told him why I had to make the demand. It was because of the then political situation," he said.
When asked about Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan's comment that the Centre thrust "two stale laddus in AP's hands" in the name of a special economic package and not special category state status, Naidu retorted, "Why would I accept stale laddus?"
"I accepted the economic package only after the Centre assured that it will be equal to special status. I am not finding fault with Kalyan as he spoke in an emotional manner," he said.
While addressing the Legislative Council earlier
today, the Chief Minister said it could be the last session of the AP Legislature in Hyderabad.
"I think this is the last time here (in Hyderabad). Unless there is an emergency, the next Legislature sessions will be held in AP's new capital region Amaravati only. Though I do not want any emergency situation," he quipped.
"I stepped into this Council hall way back in 1980 when I was the Minister for Cinematography, Archives, Archeology and Libraries. I have a 38-year-old association with Hyderabad as I first came here in 1978. Today, I went round the Assembly premises and recalled the memories. I also took photographs with some friends," Naidu said.
