TDP demands Bharat Ratna for NTR

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Thursday urged the central government to confer Bharat Ratna on its founder and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. T. Rama Rao.

TDP, a partner in National Democratic Alliance central government, passed a resolution on the second day of its 'Mahanadu' or the annual conclave at Gandipet on the outskirts of Hyderabad to demand the highest civilian award for the actor-turned-politician.

Addressing the 'Mahanadu', party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said NTR, as the late TDP founder was popularly known, deserved the award for his contribution to politics and cinema.

Moving the resolution on the birth anniversary of the late leader, he said NTR created history in Indian politics and served the people by launching many innovative schemes.

"NTR's name will remain forever in the history of Telugu people," said Naidu, who is the son-in-law of NTR.

The late leader enjoyed unparalleled popularity both in the film world and in the politics, he said.

Naidu also announced revival of sari-dhoti scheme, launched by NTR for the poor. He earmarked Rs.400 crore for the scheme which will promote usage of handloom fabrics and thus help handloom weavers improve their earnings.

Earlier, Naidu, his wife Bhuvaneswari, son Lokesh and other family members visited NTR Ghat on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake to pay tributes to the late leader.

NTR's actor sons and TDP leaders N. Harikrishna and N. Balakrishna, grandson and popular actor Junior NTR, daughter and former union minister D. Purandeswari and other family members also paid tributes.

NTR, a popular Telugu actor, had launched the TDP in 1982 on the slogan of Telugu self-respect and created record of sorts by coming to power within nine months, ending the single party rule of Congress in the undivided Andhra Pradesh.

He died in January 1996, a few months after Naidu led a revolt in the party and became the chief minister.