NTR equally important for Cong govt as Indira Gandhi our govt inspired by their ideals Revanth

Hyderabad, May 28 (PTI) Observing that TDP founder N T Rama Rao is equally important for the Congress government as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday said the government is implementing welfare programmes inspired by the ideals of the two leaders.
    Speaking after unveiling a statue of NTR at Ameerpet here on the occasion of his 103rd birth anniversary, Reddy took a swipe at K Chandrasekhar Rao, saying it was NTR who gave political birth to the BRS president.
    While Indira Gandhi gave self-respect to the poor in rural areas by distributing lands to Dalits, tribals and Adivasis, NTR made backward classes live with self-respect by abolishing Patel, Patwari system (hereditary village heads, revenue officers) in Telangana, he said.
    "The development and welfare being implemented by our government is inspired by Indira Gandhi and NTR. Indiramma's blessings and NTR's inspiration can be seen in our government and our decisions. That's why, NTR is equally important for us as Indiramma," he said.
    Citing several examples, he said, while NTR gave rights to women in ancestral property, his government is working with the aim of making one crore Self Help Group (SHG) women 'crorepatis'.
    He referred to comments about how come a Congress Chief Minister unveil the statue of NTR who fought against the grand old party or how come the statue of NTR, who is a native of Andhra Pradesh, is unveiled in the heart of Hyderabad.
    NTR is beyond caste, religion and region and the country should be proud of him, Reddy said. The statue of NTR is a source of inspiration, he said.
    Indira Gandhi groomed leaders from Telangana, including former PM P V Narasimha Rao and ex-CM Marri Chenna Reddy, he said.
    It was NTR who promoted several persons as leaders in Telangana, including Tummala Nageswara Rao, Kadiam Srihari and also KCR (K Chandrasekhar Rao), he said.
    Taking a veiled dig at BRS leadership, he said, "You (KCR) lived under the shadow of 'Anna' (NTR). How can you now speak in a manner belittling 'Anna'. Not only he (KCR). Those who are named after NTR are now claiming to be leaders (BRS leader K T Rama Rao)... Of course, there are fakes always".
    Describing BR Ambedkar, Indira Gandhi and NTR as "gems of India" in their respective generations, the chief minister said the country should always remember their contributions.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)