Last Chapter of N T Rama Rao life - and His Legacy

Today many politicians in Andhra Pradesh are bringing up the name of Nandamuri Taraka RamaRao (NTR) and claim that they are here today to carry on NTR legacy. To understand his legacy - it is important to understand the last chapter of NTR life and understand why none have moral right to take his name.

What is the background?
NT Rama Rao was the undisputed king of the Telugu Industry. He retired from the silver screen around 1982 when he launched his Telugu Desam Party. Though he acted in couple of movies in later years - fact is, since his retirement until today - no one could replace his iconic position and he remains as the only legend of the Tollywood.


What about his family?
NT RamaRao married to Basava Rama Tarakam and both had around 11 children (see Wikipedia for details). NT Rama Rao by his nature and due to his personality was never emotionally close to anyone of his children. As a matter of fact, but for the name of their father, none of NTR children could build any kind of individual credibility and reputation on their own - during NTR life time.


Personal Loss
Basava Rama Tarakam died soon after NTR became the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. This could have been big emotional crisis for NTR at that age but, he could over come with his hectic national and state politics. At the same time, the emotional bond between the father and all his children started widening.

First Political Setback
Despite the landslide mandate, NTR suffered politically partly due to his own mistakes (or lack of political skills) and on account of the cunning political games played by his own people at the behest of Congress. Initially he had a huge set back when his own man Nadendla Bhaskara Rao "stabbed" and dispositioned him as CM. NTR with the wave of support from the people of Andhra Pradesh, came back to power quickly. But, this major political incident proved that - he could be vulnerable at anytime as NTR never tried to learn.

Problematic Political Style
NTR used to behave funny, cranky at times, based on some poor advise, fear or his own thinking. He donned Vivekanda get-up, telling people of the state that he became a Sanyasi. It was a general belief at that time that - NTR used to take instant decisions without understanding the political consequences. While some of those instant decisions made him Robin Hood with masses, he soon started loosing his credibility with educated class as he appeared more like a comic cartoon.

Emotional problems
Of all his sons only Balakrishna appreared promising and started building glamour and image on his own. At one point, duing his public meeting - NTR went on record saying his son Nadamuri Balakrishna would the next leader of the party and that he would carry his legacy.

What went wrong?
Two of NTR sons-in-law, Nara Chandra Babu Naidu and Daggubati Venkatestwara Rao were active in TDP. Chandra Babu Naidu, a back room operator, was in Congress when TDP was launched. He contested elections on Congress ticket but lost. Soon after that he joined TDP. Naidu was considered, hardworking, shrewed and a capable person. Soon after NTR made a public statement, NTR was "forced" to change the tone. It was believed - both the Sons-in-Law by then politically powerful, influenced NTR. Thus, though NTR wanted Balakrishna to carry on his politically legacy, it did not materisalise.

Electoral Defeat
NTR lost the third elections he faced in mid 1990's. Due to his emotional exhuberance, lack of political strategy, poor listening skills and straighforwardness - by now NTR is getting isolated. Due to this, the vaccumm created by his departed wife was becoming visible. None of his sons and daughters dared or attempted to move closer to him. NTR is becoming a lonely man

Second Marriage
At that time, Lakshmi Siva Parvathi - a married women with a teenage child became closer to NTR. This was extraodinory situation for, who knew NTR - but, NTR was no different to any septugenarian windower. They wanted emotional support. Lakshmi Parvathi filled that vaccumm. True to his nature of making instant decisions - NTR decided to marry Laksmi Parvathi. None of his family supported this decision. First she was married, secondly she does belong to their community and thirdly her reputation was questionable.

Return to Power
While the crisis on his personal life was running high, NTR returned to power with a landslide again. As promised he introduced prohibition with in seconds of assuming power. This is perhaps the most populist scheme of NTR after his trademark Rs 2 / Kg rice scheme.

Emerging Crisis
Lakshmi Parvati never remained a housewife. She started her own power centre and became a centre media attention. This was sharp contrast to NTR's first wife, who perhaps was never seen in public let alone speaking. Both these acts, started creating fractures in the party. Chandra Babu Naidu started seeing an emerging power struggle, as NTR's health was detoriating though, he was on the top of the decision making process. But the problem for Babu was, Lakshmi Parvathi started influencing - NTR more and more.

Political Stabbing
In the name of saving party Naidu with the help of NTR's family disposed NTR in a bloodless coup. Depsite all his efforts, NTR was completly isolated because everyone started blaming Lakshmi Parvati and Rama Rao not keen to discard her. He was ousted from the very party that was build from his own blood and sweat. Ramarao could not survive long enough to take a revange on the conspirators. NTR died a lonely man

What is Brand NTR in politics?
NTR was the most popular leader in the Andhra Pradesh history till todate. It is perhaps difficult to think of some one coming even closer to charisma. He introduced most durable trademark populist schemes like mid day meal, rice schemes, prohibition and many more during his tubulant leadership years.

What happened after NTR?
Though Naidu said his coup was to save the party, his true colours emerged slowly. He kicked out all those relatives, including NTR sons from the party. He ensured that his control on the party is complete. Unlike NTR, he proved very sophisticated and ensured all the media for his propaganda (for example Eenadu created a brand Naidu). He also ditched all the NTR populist schemes that are his true legacy. He ruled the state for 9 years with iron grip and bitten dust in 2004 when his Hi-Tech pitch did not go well with average voter in the state

What about NTR family?
NTR sons went into isolation. Harikrishna now one of the popular TDP voice was shown door out of the cabinet and party by Naidu but he went onto launch a party on his own again picking the name of his dead father. Balakrishna never played any role and remained nonchalant. He continued with his film career with limited success. NTR's other Son in Law went over to Congress. His wife, Purandareswari became a respectable Minister in Manmohan Singh government.

Who is legitimate to carry NTR Legacy?
Today, NTR is simply iconified for mean political gains chiefly by Telugu Desam Party. In his 9 years rule, Naidu ensured that all his legacy is buried. Harikrishna one of the NTR son who played a key role in ousting his father and made him to die early, today joined Naidu for saving his brother-in-law from another politcal disaster than to do anything with his father legacy. Balakrishna who now got extended relationship due to his daughter marriage with Naidu's son, is making an entry to TDP to defeat the seamingly powerful Reddy community (and Dr YS Rajasekhar Redddy) because of whom their own Kamma community is suffering all around and are getting marginalised in the past 5 years. Purandareswari is perhaps the most credible child of NTR but she is with Congress.

To honest NTR legacy is dead long back. Naidu and NTR's sons are simply trying to fool Andhra Pradesh electorate in the name of NTR who will never pardon anyone even sitting in heaven.

Like in Silver Screen no one can take NTR position and carry his legacy. After all we are living in different world