Nadendla Bhaskara Rao - 1983 - 1984 May

TDP was formed on 1982 March 23rd, and N.T.Rama Rao took oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 1983 January 9th. N.T.R. asked Nadendla Bhaskara Rao about the formation of Cabinet. Nadendla suggested that, Cabinet should have the following.

2 Reddys from Andhra
2 Reddys from Telangana
1 Brahmin
1 Harijan
1 Girijan
1 B.C.
1 Woman
1 Andhra Muslim

Nadendla also told NTR that, he is not interested in joining the Cabinet. But, NTR insisted that, he does not know anything about the administration, and Nadendla must join the Cabinet, and asked for his favorite ministry, and Nadendla chose Finance. Nadendla also prepared the list of entire Cabinet after NTR asked for that.

One day before the oath ceremony, Nara Chandrababu Naidu told NTR family members that, he would like to join Telugu Desam Party. After few days, he joined in TDP.

When Chenna Reddy was the Chief Minister of A.P., the retirement age is increased from 55 to 58. Nadendla was one reason behind that. When NTR became C.M., he listened to some people, and decided to reduce the retirement age to 55. Because of that decision, those who had 3 years service had to leave from the services immediately. It effected many people, and they went to court. Finally, court ruled in favour of the employees and government had to pay their salaries for the remaining service.

NTR cancelled all the Munasab and Karanam in Andhra, and Patel and Patwari in Telangana. By the cancellation of that, all kinds of official dynasty rules ended in A.P. Eventhough Nadendla criticized NTR for doing this, it was a very good step taken by NTR. There may be problems in implementation, but, overall it was a great step.

There was proposal to construct Kanaka Durga Varadhi combining Krishna and Guntur districts. Nadendla sent proposal to central government for four lane road. Since, Central government is also giving some money for this, it wanted one of the central minister to participate in the foundation ceremony. NTR did not like the central minister to participate in that. He did not invite anyone and constructed only two lane road. (Few years back, another bridge with two lane road was constructed next to that, and each bridge is used for one direction.)

NTR cancelled Sasana Mandali (Council). Because, he felt that it is not necessary. Nadendla says NTR was uncomfortable with the questions asked by the members of the council.

NTR started oner quasi judicial organization, Dharma Maha Matra, to control the corrupted officials. Nadendla says, it was used to control the sincere officials who opposed NTR.

In 1984, when Nadendla Bhaskara Rao introduced budget bill, NTR was not in assembly, eventhough he was the Chief Minister. He was in Secretariat at that time. Nadendla says, NTR does not like members appreciating Nadendla for his budget. That's why he did not come to the assembly.

There was Mahanadu on 1984 May 27th in Visakhapatnam. At that time, NTR wanted to propose a resolution to cancel Governor system. But, Nadendla opposed it very seriously, and said, he is not going to support it. Then, NTR withdrew that resolution.

Chandrababu and another person from Delhi encouraged NTR to unite all the opposition parties and to become PM. They invited all the opposition parties except BJP for the meeting. Even there were plans to include BJP also, but it was left-out because it is not secular party. ( Nadendla criticized BJP that, it won only 2 seats. But, it got 2 seats only in the elections that happened after that meeting. Before that, it had many seats.)

From the book Naa Jeevitha Prasthanam (My Life Journey) by Nadendla Bhaskara Rao.