PV Narasimha Rao's 105th birth anniversary: AP leaders pay tribute
Synopsis
Across party lines, Andhra Pradesh's top leaders — Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, CM Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and even opposition chief Jagan Mohan Reddy — united on 28 June to honour PV Narasimha Rao's 105th birth anniversary. The rare cross-party consensus underscores how the architect of India's 1991 liberalisation remains a figure above political rivalry in his home state.
Key Takeaways
Abdul Nazeer , CM N.
Chandrababu Naidu , and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan paid tribute to P.
Narasimha Rao on his 105th birth anniversary on 28 June .
Pawan Kalyan posted a detailed tribute on social media platform X , calling Rao 'one of India's most visionary statesmen.' Opposition leader Y.
Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSRCP) and state Congress president Y.
Sharmila also joined the remembrance.
Narasimha Rao served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and is credited with steering India's landmark economic liberalisation alongside Manmohan Singh .
The cross-party nature of tributes reflects broad consensus on Rao's historical stature in Andhra Pradesh and nationally.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on 28 June paid tribute to former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao on his 105th birth anniversary, honouring his transformative role in shaping modern India's economic trajectory.
Governor and CM Remember a Visionary Statesman
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer described Narasimha Rao as a visionary statesman who steered the country toward development through far-reaching economic reforms, leaving an enduring contribution to national progress.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, also the national president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), said Narasimha Rao assumed the office of Prime Minister during a critical juncture in the nation's history and initiated reforms with foresight that transformed India's development path. 'His visionary leadership and contributions to national progress will continue to inspire generations to come,' Naidu said.
Pawan Kalyan's Tribute on X
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, the Jana Sena leader, posted a detailed tribute on social media platform X, describing Narasimha Rao as 'one of India's most visionary statesmen, an exceptional scholar, former Chief Minister of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, and former Prime Minister whose leadership transformed the course of our nation's history.'
In his post, Pawan Kalyan wrote: 'At a defining moment, his courage, foresight, and landmark economic reforms opened new horizons for India's growth and global standing. His remarkable intellect, administrative excellence, and unwavering commitment to national progress remain an enduring source of inspiration.'
He added: 'From the richness of Telugu literary heritage to the highest office of public service, Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao Garu exemplified wisdom, humility, and visionary leadership. His extraordinary legacy continues to inspire generations to serve the nation with knowledge, integrity, and unwavering dedication.'
Opposition Leaders Join the Remembrance
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said Narasimha Rao was a visionary who steered a nation facing an acute economic crisis onto a path of development through his reforms, breathing new life into the Indian economy. He noted that Narasimha Rao's contributions during his tenure as Prime Minister remain unforgettable.
State Congress president Y. S. Sharmila also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister, underlining his place as a towering figure in India's political and economic history.
Why Narasimha Rao's Legacy Endures
Narasimha Rao served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, a period widely regarded as a watershed moment for the Indian economy. Alongside then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, he dismantled the licence raj, opened India to foreign investment, and set the country on a path of sustained GDP growth. His tenure is also notable for his roots in Andhra Pradesh, making him a figure of particular pride for the state's political class across party lines. The cross-party nature of tributes on his 105th birth anniversary reflects the broad consensus on his historical stature.
Point of View
The YSRCP opposition, and the Congress — is itself a political signal. Narasimha Rao remains one of the few post-Independence leaders whose legacy transcends the factional fault lines of Andhra Pradesh politics. Yet the annual ritual of birthday tributes also masks an unresolved debate: Rao's economic reforms are universally praised, but his political record — including the demolition of the Babri Masjid on his watch — is rarely examined in these commemorations. A fuller reckoning with his legacy would serve the historical record better than uncritical eulogy.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was P. V. Narasimha Rao?
P. V. Narasimha Rao was India's Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996 and is credited with initiating landmark economic liberalisation reforms alongside then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh. He was also a former Chief Minister of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh and a noted scholar of Telugu literature.
Why is Narasimha Rao's 105th birth anniversary significant?
The 105th birth anniversary on 28 June 2025 drew cross-party tributes from Andhra Pradesh's top leaders, reflecting his enduring stature as the architect of India's 1991 economic reforms. The occasion highlighted rare political consensus in a state otherwise marked by sharp factional rivalry.
What did Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan say about Narasimha Rao?
Pawan Kalyan posted a tribute on X describing Narasimha Rao as 'one of India's most visionary statesmen,' crediting his courage, foresight, and landmark economic reforms with opening new horizons for India's growth and global standing.
Did opposition leaders also pay tribute to Narasimha Rao?
Yes. YSRCP president Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said Narasimha Rao steered a nation in economic crisis onto a path of development, while state Congress president Y. S. Sharmila also paid tribute, making the remembrance a rare cross-party occasion.
What is Narasimha Rao's economic legacy?
Narasimha Rao dismantled India's licence raj, opened the economy to foreign investment, and set the country on a path of sustained GDP growth during his 1991–1996 tenure. His reforms, executed alongside Manmohan Singh, are widely regarded as the most consequential economic pivot in post-Independence India.
