Who should read? 1) Who likes politics 2) Who are closely associated with TDP’s era 3) Fans of NTR 4) Critics of Chandra Babu Naidu
The Book narrates the evolution of TDP since its inception to till today – basically highlighting the glory of NTR, criticizing Chandra Babu Naidu and justifying for him and his wife’s entry to Congress.
I read the English version and then glanced Telugu version. Both are almost same except few of the last one or two pages.
For almost many a years – this book made me to read at a stretch – not because the writing is nice – but because it is the history with which our era has grown and it is very nearer to our heart.
The salient features are
· The Book details in a chronological order the events occurred between 1982 till 2009 in AP politics, with small reference to National level and significantly focusing on TDP. By the time the book was released, YSR came into power 2nd time and he was not yet dead.
· Tries to bring out the greatness of NTR – but I feel Dr Rao has failed a lot in this aspect. Being the family member and also a close associate of TDP – he could have done much more better work. No where in the book – he goes deep into the subject and tries to analyze NTR’s feelings, opinions, and reactions (mental and Physical).
o He could have much elaborated how he has behaved when Bhaskar Rao thrown him out un-democratically
o How he has reacted during his wife’s death
o How has he come to terms when he lost the 1989 elections?
o How he has been stubborn – when his immediate family, the party leaders and the public is criticizing against his marriage with Lakshmi Parvathy.
o The most important one is – how he has swallowed (or kept on swallowing till his death) – the humiliation meted to him by his own sons, sons-in-law (including Dr Rao himself). This he could have gathered from his wife, who he says, daily used to go to NTR’s house even though rest has boycotted him.
o Over all the book looks like written in a hurry and released in further more hurry.
· Overboarding of criticism on Chandra Babu. Very repeatedly he mentions that Babu is Corrupt, opportunistic, power-monger. At times it gets irritated.
o While Babu’s opportunitism is very clear and he should be condemned – Dr Rao and his wife also shown the same and joined Congress the party against which NTR has fought all along his life. If they cannot work with TDP – it does not mean that they have to join Congress. While Dr Rao has to some extent some compulsions to join congress - for his political existence – what is the need for Mrs Rao to enter the Politics on Congress platform?
o Chandra Babu, NTR’s sons – do not have any right to put NTR’s photo and beg for votes as they have dethroned him mercilessly – like Mughal Rulers they fought against NTR.
o Whether Dr Rao agrees or not Babu is seen as a perfect organizer of the party and he has gone to the depth of the village level and knows each and every one. That was his asset – which made him to win back 1999 elections even though he has the tag of “Back stabber”, not a charismatic leader.
· One more overboarding – Mr Rao goes and criticizes the entire rule of Mr Babu.
o One point he rightly brings out is that he has not done a great thing significantly different to any other state in IT growth. The reason being – when he took over as CM – AP was in 4th place in IT exports and when he relinquished the post the rank remains the same. The reason is all states have grown in the same pace.
o But he accepts that he made great publicity to Hyderabad by bringing both Bills (Clinton and Gates) to AP. (Ofcourse now it has gone back to 30 years back, Thanks to Telangana separatists and Congress’s incompetent leaders).
o But Dr Rao does not give Credit to Babu for any of the schemes he has implemented, which lead to strong Financial reserves, which Dr YSR has successfully used to implement popular schemes and get public support and win-over 2nd term without any State ex-chequer in troubles.
· The notorious (may be the most) is Lakshmi Parvathy – how cunningly she entered into NTR’s life.
o She has living husband.
o She started associating with NTR saying she wanted to write the biography of him.
o With a plan to snatch the property she planned to start loving him and married him with a great opposition from his family.
o At the age of 70+ NTR also shamelessly married a wicked woman – thus spoiling his whole political career and finally his own life.
o To project her importance and NTR’s dependence on her – she openly feeded with her hands in a big function in New Delhi and Delhi media is written that NTR is paralyzed and he cannot function on his own (like MGR of the last days).
o Also she has given steroids to NTR thus making his heart weak.
o When he dead – she snatched the whole money, gold, silver and property and no one know even now where all those money.
In nutshell it is very simple, written in lucid language, interesting and readable. At the end show sympathy for NTR for his fateful death and curse characters like his sons, Babu and Lakshmi Parvathy.
This book is available in the site http://daggubati.in.
You can down load both the English and Telugu Versions from the “Book” section. The site also is good with Purandhareswari ‘s speeches etc.
