The Telugu Desam Party on Sunday invoked its late founder N T Rama Rao's legacy and vowed to work towards achieving the ideals and causes dear to him.
The second day's programme of the three-day Mahanadu (annual convention) of the TDP began with the 84th birth anniversary celebrations of cine-actor-turned-politician N T Rama Rao who had created history in 1982-83 by bringing the TDP to power barely nine months after launching it.
TDP president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu offered floral tributes to NTR, who was also his father-in-law.
Naidu and NTR's son Nandamuri Harikrishna, who recently rejoined the TDP, cut a huge cake in the presence of senior TDP leaders.
"Today is the 84th birth anniversary of our leader. On this occasion, we rededicate ourselves to the objectives and principles with which he had started the TDP and made sacrifices. NTR had summed up his philosophy in these words: 'The society is my temple and the poor people are my gods.' We have to strive with all sincerity and dedication to realise his ideals by working for the poor, women and farmers," Naidu said.
Meanwhile, in a luncheon interaction with the media, Naidu said, "Pulivendula type of politics pursued by Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy will not continue further in the state" and asked the Congress government to reorient its policies in the state. (Pulivendula is the hometown of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy.)
Naidu alleged that the Congress was making all-out bid to win the ensuing Panchayat Raj elections through misuse of official machinery and money power.
Reacting to his criticism by the chief minister, he quipped, "YSR's dictatorial attitude will not continue for long. The state has seen several such leaders biting the dust, including former chief minister Dr Marri Channa Reddy."
He stated that Mahanadu's objective was to discuss issues pertaining to the state and national interest, particularly the welfare of the Telugu people, but not to review the party performance.
"The party has been continuously reviewing its performance regularly during the past two years and the Mahanadu's aim is to encourage the party cadres," he said.
He asserted that the Congress would witness the wrath of the people in the ensuing Panchayat Raj elections since the government has overlooked the welfare of the people and development of the state in the last two years.
"Free power is not enough and there are several other necessities of the farmers, which need to be met," he said and accused the government of failure to provide free power for the assured number of hours and to evolve a comprehensive policy on equitable distribution of irrigation waters.