Revanth Reddy releases Bandaru Dattatreya's autobiography, calls him ‘Ajata Shatruvu'
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday released the autobiography of Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, titled 'Prajala Kathe-Naa Atma Katha', at Shilpakala Vedika in Hyderabad. The event witnessed the participation of several prominent leaders, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu, former President Ramnath Kovind and former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu who heaped praise on Dattatreya's public life and legacy.
Speaking at the book launch, the Chief Minister described Dattatreya as an 'Ajata Shatruvu', one who has no enemies, and likened him to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said that the Haryana Governor stands as a role model for budding leaders, having risen from humble beginnings in Gowliguda, a small locality in Hyderabad, to occupy high constitutional office while maintaining close ties with the people.
The Chief Minister made interesting comments on his political journey, describing it as 'Schooling in the BJP, college in the TDP, and now working with Rahul Gandhi'. 'I never hide my relationships,' Mr. Revanth Reddy said, adding that he had close ties with the families of both Mr. Dattatreya and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy..
He said, 'Leaders cutting across the political lines admire Mr.Dattatreya whether or not he holds power,' citing the annual 'Alai Balai' event hosted by Dattatreya. The Chief Minister also said that his government draws inspiration from leaders like P. Janardhan Reddy (PJR) and Dattatreya in making people-centric decisions.
Mr.Chandrababu Naidu described Dattatreya as the embodiment of a true gentleman and lauded his commitment to secularism and public welfare despite working as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharak, stating that his 'letters to the Chief Minister' reflect both purpose and principle. 'Dattatreya is fondly called as simply Dattanna. He is an Ajata Shatruvu,' Naidu added.
Mr.Venkaiah Naidu also showered praises on Dattatreya. He said such leaders exemplify value-based public service. 'Those who violate democratic norms must be rejected through democratic means,' he said.
Mr.Kishan Reddy, Telangana Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, former Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana, and Governors Jishnu Dev Varma (Telangana), S. Abdul Nazeer (Andhra Pradesh), Kambhampati Haribabu (Odisha) and N. Indrasena Reddy (Tripura) were among the dignitaries present.
This autobiography chronicles Dattatreya's seven-decade journey, from helping his mother sell onions in Gowliguda to becoming an RSS pracharak, his involvement in relief work during the 1977 Diviseema cyclone, his arrest during the Emergency, and his tenure as a Union Minister and now as Governor.
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