My development concepts model for others : Naidu

Book on Chandrababu's walkathon 'Vasthunna Mee Kosam' released

• Naidu claims credit for making Hyderabad a model city
• Says he learnt discipline, hard work from NTR

Hyderabad: History has proved that every non-Congress Government formed at the Centre in the past was made possible only with the support of TDP, in one way or the other, and leaders such as V P Singh, I K Gujral and A P J Kalam were appointed to the highest offices because of TDP's invaluable support to them, claimed TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday. "Just for the sake of serving the people of the State, I turned down the offer of the prime minister post on two occasions in the past", he revealed.

Releasing 'Vasthunna Mee Kosam,' a book that chronicled everyday events of Naidu's 208 days walkathon at Ravindra Bharathi, in the presence of eminent journalists, intellectuals and politicians, he claimed credit for elevating Hyderabad to the level of an international city. He said that world leaders such as Bill Clinton and Tony Blair had read about the developmental works undertaken in Hyderabad, which ultimately made them to visit the Pearl City during his regime. It paved the way for complete transformation of Hyderabad into a model city for globalization, Naidu said.

Guests present on the dais were K Ramachandra Murthy, Editor-in-Chief, The Hans India and HMTV; K Srinivas Reddy, Editor of Vishalandhra; Vasudeva Dikshitulu, Senior Journalist and former editor of Andhra Prabha; and Venkata Krishna, TV5 Executive Editor. The book was authored by T Srinivasa Rao who is working as a Senior Correspondent of TV5. Naidu listed out the various developmental works he had undertaken during his nine-year tenure as the Chief Minister of AP. He said that it was his developmental model, which was replicated by chief ministers of various states like Odisha, Bihar and Gujarat.

Recalling the kind of experiences he had during his walkathon, he said due to leg pain, ligament tears and other bone-related ailments he was forced to break the Yatra on a few occasions. He said that he had learnt discipline and hard work from NT Rama Rao and that his determination, coupled with self-confidence and will power, made it easy for him to complete his padayathra, even though he faced many hurdles completing it.

Ramachandra Murthy preferred Naidu to concentrate on becoming the Prime Minister, rather than aiming once again for the Chief Minister's office. He declared that Naidu was the first Chief Minister to write a vision document and that Naidu was successful in implementing PV Narasimha Rao's economic reforms very effectively in the State. Speaking on the broader political issues, Murthy said that the need of the hour was to create wealth, the benefits of which should help enrich the poor and enhance their quality of life.

Srinivas Reddy said that Chandrababu's walkathon would go into history and that he took NTR's aspirations to the people. He also noted that Naidu was a receptive CM, who noted down every new thing he came across and then went on to implement it. He also said that Naidu had the capability in working out relationships across the political spectrum, in order to provide an alternative Government at the Centre.

Srinivasa Rao, author of the book, who observed Naidu for 100 days, walking along with him, said that Naidu had a sincere intention of serving the poor, which was observed during his interaction and action while addressing issues like water problem, farmers' problems in Anantapur District and many other issues which came to his notice. He said that Naidu was the only person who has the confidence, vision and foresight of being a deserving Chief Minister of AP. Kumari Kundalika performed five classical dances non-stop at the event. Chandrababu Naidu presented a memento to her.