Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday, 29 May 2025, formally urged the Centre to confer the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — on late TDP founder and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister NT Rama Rao (NTR). The demand was made at Mahanadu, the party's annual conclave held in Amaravati to mark NTR's 103rd birth anniversary, and was adopted unanimously by the gathering.

Resolution Passed at Mahanadu

Chandrababu moved a formal resolution at the conclave demanding the posthumous award for NTR, describing him as 'a permanent symbol of Telugu self-respect.' The resolution was adopted without dissent by the delegates present.

'It is the collective demand of all of us that the late NTR, who became a shining light for Telugu people, be awarded the Bharat Ratna,' Chandrababu said. He added: 'I request that Bharat Ratna be awarded to the great leader who ushered in major transformations in Indian politics.'

NTR's Legacy: Cinema, Politics and Telugu Identity

Chandrababu traced NTR's journey from a farmer's son and government employee to a celebrated film icon and eventually the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, arguing that he created history in both arenas. 'Unless NTR is born again, no one can match his discipline and stature. Wherever he was, he always lived for the self-respect of Telugu people,' Chandrababu said.

He noted that NTR entered electoral politics after a distinguished film career and became Chief Minister within nine months of founding the TDP — a feat widely regarded as one of the most remarkable political debuts in Indian regional history. Chandrababu described NTR's birth anniversary as 'a festival day for all Telugu people,' adding that his legacy would endure as long as the Telugu community existed.

Governance Record Cited in Support

Chandrababu invoked NTR's governance record to strengthen the case for the honour, stating that his administration 'stood as a support system for farmers, assurance for women, protection for workers and guidance for youth.' He also highlighted the TDP's outsized role in national politics despite being a regional party — a reference to NTR's pivotal contribution to the formation of opposition fronts against the Congress in the 1980s.

Women's Reservation Demand Also Raised

On the sidelines of the Bharat Ratna demand, Chandrababu backed a proposal by TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh for 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies, urging the Centre to implement it nationwide. This comes amid broader national debate on the Women's Reservation Act and its timeline for implementation.

The twin demands — Bharat Ratna for NTR and women's reservation — signal TDP's intent to use Mahanadu not just as a commemorative event but as a platform for political positioning ahead of future electoral cycles.