YCP leader Jaganmohan Reddy used to say that his father YS Rajasekhara Reddy was the second most popular leader among Telugu-speaking people after NT Rama Rao. During his election campaigns, YSR also never missed an opportunity to recall NTR’s name and get wider attention from the voters. Now it is time for Telangana Rashtra Samithi leaders to make a connection with the charismatic TDP founder.

Minister K Taraka Rama Rao compared his father KCR’s achievements to those of NTR. At a meeting of the party leaders and cadres, KTR asserted that if there were two leaders who upheld the prestige and self-respect of Telugu people, they were NTR and KCR. Everybody knew how NTR rebelled against Congress party’s domination and defeated it by leading his TDP to victory. KCR made similar accomplishment by beginning separate state movement in 2001, overcame challenges and went on to make Telangana a reality.

KTR pointed out that in over 71 years of agitation, there were many ups and downs till KCR appeared on the scene and displayed rare courage. He recalled how KCR at one time asked his people to stone him to death if he lowered his flag of agitation.