Hyderabad, June 28 (IANS) Leaders cutting across party lines in Telangana paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao on his 105th birth anniversary on Sunday.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, in a message, paid tributes to the former Prime Minister, acknowledging his “enduring contributions to the building of modern India”.

He hailed Narasimha Rao as a freedom fighter, a polyglot, and a visionary leader who ushered in economic reforms and steered the nation effectively through challenging times.

The Chief Minister stated that the services and ideals of P.V. Narasimha Rao — a beloved son of Telangana, a leader who made the nation proud, and a brilliant intellectual — would always serve as an inspiration for future generations.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud called Narasimha Rao one of India’s most visionary statesmen.

“A scholar, reformer, and transformative leader, his bold economic reforms in 1991 reshaped India’s future and laid the foundation for a stronger, globally competitive nation. His wisdom, administrative excellence, and unwavering commitment to public service continue to inspire generations. Remembering his remarkable legacy with gratitude and respect,” the state Congress chief posted on ‘X’.

Leaders of the ruling Congress, the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and family members of the late leader visited PV Gnana Bhoomi (PV Ghat) on the banks of Hussain Sagar Lake here to pay floral tributes.

They recalled the services of the late leader, who was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2024.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, state BJP president Ramchander Rao, Narasimha Rao’s grandson and BJP leader N.V. Subhash were among those who visited PV Ghat.

Kishan Reddy said that Narasimha Rao was a visionary who paved the way for economic reforms.

“The initiative and vision he demonstrated as Prime Minister regarding economic and policy reforms paved the way for the nation’s development. His role in building modern India is truly memorable,” he said.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao also paid rich tributes to Narasimha Rao, hailing him as a pioneer of economic reforms, a polyglot, and a statesman.

“It is a matter of pride for all of us that P.V. Narasimha Rao – who steered the nation out of a massive crisis during a turbulent period – was born in Telangana,” he said and recalled that the KCR government celebrated the centenary of Narasimha Rao on a grand scale.

Rama Rao said the BRS government named the Veterinary University after him, renamed Necklace Road as ‘P.V. Marg’ and installed a towering statue of him to commemorate his enduring legacy.

State BJP president Ramchander Rao stated that Narasimha Rao was a leader of immense intellect and foresight, and the great architect of India’s economic reforms.

He was the first Prime Minister from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family to complete a full five-year term in office.

“However, the Congress’s ‘first family’ could never come to terms with this; they believed that the right to the Prime Minister’s office belonged solely to their family. That is why, even after completing his term as Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao did not receive the respect he deserved within the Congress party,” he said,

He alleged that Narasimha Rao’s mortal remains were not even permitted to be kept at the Congress headquarters in Delhi for the public to pay their final respects.

The Congress insulted P.V. Narasimha Rao, the architect of India’s economic liberalisation and historic economic reform, and tried in every way to erase his legacy, the BJP leader said.

–IANS

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