Hyderabad: Vice-President elect M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said he had never encouraged heriditary politics nor encouraged anyone to touch his feet during his five-decade-long political career. “There is a chance that the person who touches our feet will have the chance to drag us down,” he quipped. He was speaking at a function here organised by Emesco Publications which brought out Telugu version of a book containing his speeches and writings.
He said fearlessness, speaking the truth, commitment to service and honesty were his qualifications. He said he had never encouraged people to touch his feet and even asked others not to encourage such a culture in politics which is dangerous for democracy. “I wanted to remain Usha pati but now I have become Upa Rastrapati as well as Sabhapati (Chairman of the Rajya Sabha), but I will continue the rich traditions I learnt from stalwarts like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Atal Behari Vajpayee. I will uphold good practices of my predecessors,” Mr Naidu said.
He turned nostalgic and spoke of his entry into politics and how he had rejected an offer of the N.T. Rama Rao to join the Telugu Desam. He said it he fought for a separate Andhra State in the early 70s, that was why he welcomed the state’s bifurcation. AP and TS Assembly Speakers Dr Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, S. Madhusudana Chary who spoke on the occasion remembered Mr Naidu’s fearless speeches on maintaining decorum and decency in politics.
