Hyderabad: Lakshmi Parvathi, wife of the legendary N.T. Rama Rao, film icon, Telugu Desam founder and former chief minister, in an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, hailed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for welfare initiatives, while slamming Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu for allegedly misusing public funds.
In the interview, she termed Naidu the “most corrupt politician”, saying he has manipulated the system, aided by powerful friends at the highest level in the judiciary. She said he must have been jailed years ago.
Excerpts:
What are your thoughts on Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest? The TD has labelled it a political vendetta. Do you agree?
Naidu has looted openly. He is the most corrupt person in this world and this is widely known. Long ago, Tehelka exposed his corruption and termed him the richest chief minister in India. Yet, despite several cases filed against him, including mine, Naidu got away. I think there are scores of cases filed against him, but not one case has reached the investigation stage. The reason is he always manages everything and has powerful friends everywhere.
His network has kept him out of the judicial probe. He controls almost every media outlet, barring one or two. He has people in I-T and ED. And after he was defeated, he sent his MPs into the BJP. This is because he wants the BJP on his side, after having spewed venom on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah after quitting the NDA. He has managed every institution, which is why his corruption has always been ignored.
Even a few years ago, income-tax department sleuths searched his personal secretary Srinivas’s house and unearthed a '2,000-crore fraud and '118-crore Amaravati construction scam. There’s no end to his misdeeds. I can read out a laundry list of Naidu’s black deeds. He must have earned at least Rs 6 lakh crore, which he has stashed away in banks outside the country, in Singapore, Mauritius, Dubai and Switzerland. Now, these cases are out in the open and everyone understands that Chandrababu is guilty and that his corrupt acts are catching up with him.
Even when the officers under him did not want to sign certain documents, he would sign them himself and send them off. But the money is funnelled back to his account, and can be seen as an open thief. The TD is helpless. They are worried about the fate of the party without a leader and so, they are weaving a tale of lies. These cases are proved and there are many more in the list which will follow. This is the reason why his lawyers are seeking bail in anticipation.
Do you think TD has any relevance in Andhra Pradesh today?
The TD was in a bad shape even while Naidu was running the party. It was evident in the last elections itself, when they got only 23 seats. Even in recent elections of ZPTC, MPTC, municipal and panchayats, the numbers were negligible. The party is in tatters. Now that Naidu is gone, it is a confusing situation. My husband, when he was backstabbed by Naidu, said that even though he founded the party, he was not interested in the party anymore due to treachery. So today, I wish to state the same: I am least bothered about what happens to the Telugu Desam. At the time of NTR, the party’s flag was flying high. BCs, SCs and minorities got equal positions in the party. But now, all dacoits are in the party. TD is filled with all the corrupt people — defaulters, Babu’s benamis and corporates. Name and fame are gone. Where is NTR’s party?
Who, among NTR’s children, do you think can uphold his legacy?
None of them is worth talking about. NTR was a legendary personality. Still, people follow him and look up to him as an iconic actor and leader. Even people are not interested in NTR’s family anymore and have no sympathy for anybody, including Naidu.
I have a question for Bhuvaneshwari: ‘When your husband backstabbed your father, he cried in front of the media. There were many audio files, videos released. But you did not have any sympathy or a word to support your father. Why didn’t you question your husband? Why did you let him insult your own father, who was a gentleman? But now, when a most corrupt individual like Naidu, who not only backstabbed NTR but also cheated people by taking their money, is arrested, how can you and a few family members support a person like him?’
Between Balakrishna and Jr NTR, who do you think can be a politician?
In my opinion, Balakrishna is taking control of the party as he’s from the Nandamuri family. Jr NTR has not made his entry yet. But there will be a tough contest between Balakrishna and Lokesh this time around. At least, I think Balakrishna is getting better.
Do you think there'll be a realignment of political forces in Andhra Pradesh?
No. Jagan is most powerful now because he’s implemented a number of schemes for the poor. All sections are pleased with Jagan Mohan Reddy. People are very, very impressed with his rule. So, there’s nobody to compare with Jagan or his rule. No parties, no opposition in Andhra Pradesh. Only one, Jagan Mohan Reddy.
