TDP today urged the Centre to confer the country's highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, on the party founder and former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh N T Rama Rao.
A resolution, moved by TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, was unanimously passed at the ongoing annual conclave of the party 'Mahanadu' here.
"It is the desire of not just Telugu people but all Indians to give Bharat Ratna to N T Rama Rao who is like a god to the Telugu people....We will make untiring efforts till NT Rama Rao gets Bharat Ratna," Naidu said.
Rama Rao, born on this day in 1923, created history by storming to power in undivided Andhra Pradesh in just nine months after forming his party in 1982.
One of the founding fathers of the Telugu film industry, he also played a key role in the formation of National Front which catapulted V P Singh to the post of Prime Minister.
The three-day TDP conclave which started yesterday also passed a resolution in favour of developing a grand capital city for Andhra Pradesh in the Vijayawada region.
Highlighting that the state government decided to name the capital city as Amaravati in view of the historical, cultural and religious significance of the old Amaravati town, Naidu said his government is keen on building a capital which would be a modern city and an engine of growth.
Telugu people should be partners in the endeavour and contribute at least a rupee or a brick, Naidu said.
He alleged that the opposition YSR Congress, Congress and others tried to create obstacles in the process of developing the capital by inciting farmers, going to courts and spreading lies.
Naidu also expressed confidence that TDP would come to power in Telangana in 2019 elections.
