Kharge Honors Narasimha Rao on His 20th Death Anniversary
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New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday honored the legacy of party giant and former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao as he marked his 20th death anniversary.
In a post shared on X, Kharge remarked, “His time in office was characterized by notable achievements that reshaped India’s future. The bold Economic Liberalisation policy of his government sparked a period of growth, benefiting and broadening the middle class.”
At the same time, he played a pivotal role in advancing India’s nuclear program and led transformative foreign policy strategies, particularly the 'Look East' initiative, Kharge highlighted.
“His invaluable contributions to nation-building will always be remembered,” Kharge stated, offering rare commendation for Rao, whom the BJP asserts was disrespected and sidelined by his own party after his tenure concluded in 1996, primarily due to his status as a non-Gandhi leader.
This past February, following the announcement of the Bharat Ratna award for the 9th Prime Minister, Kharge praised the former PM’s foresight and enduring legacy. He shared a message on X celebrating the remarkable contributions of the Telugu leader, who participated in the Independence movement and was esteemed for his intellect, being fluent in 17 languages.
The conferment of the Bharat Ratna on Rao rekindled debates regarding his legacy and the Congress party's historical tendency to downplay his contributions.
The Congress has faced backlash for how it treated Rao during his lifetime, with rivals, including the BJP, questioning its reluctance to acknowledge his significant role in economic reforms.
Following his death on December 23, 2004, Rao’s remains were reportedly barred from entering the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, allegedly due to the perceived rift between then-party chief Sonia Gandhi and the influential leader from Andhra Pradesh.
Amid the BJP's claims that the Congress has consistently failed to honor Rao, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly pointed out how the Congress has historically overlooked its leaders who do not belong to the Gandhi family.
