Latest news with #ViswanathaSatyanarayana
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP President's call to rename Lenin Centre sparks political controversy in Andhra
VIJAYAWADA: Moments before officially taking charge as the BJP Andhra Pradesh State President, PVN Madhav sparked a political row with his remarks on the historic Lenin Centre in Vijayawada, suggesting it be renamed after renowned Telugu poet Viswanatha Satyanarayana. Madhav made the controversial comments while garlanding statues during a rally to the party office, questioning the relevance of Lenin to Indian soil. His remarks drew sharp criticism from Left leaders urging Madhav to focus on developmental issues instead of stirring unnecessary controversies. During his rally to the BJP state office, Madhav stopped at Lenin Centre and garlanded the statue of Viswanatha Satyanarayana. Speaking at the spot, he said, 'Lenin had nothing to do with India. It is only fitting that this centre be renamed after a great literary figure like Viswanatha Satyanarayana, who contributed to Telugu culture and language.' He further reminded public that Viswanatha Satyanarayana had prepared a legislative dictionary, advocating for Telugu as the language of lawmaking in the state. 'This Centre should honour someone who belongs to our soil and represents our values,' he said. 'Lenin Centre reflects Vijayawada's historical identity & collective will' The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Left parties, who regard the Lenin Centre as a symbol of Vijayawada's rich communist heritage. According to the sources, in 1987, under the Communist-led Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, a 12.5-foot statue of their ideological icon, V I Lenin was installed at a key city junction. The statue was procured from the former Soviet Union with the support of the late Chukkapalli Pitchaiah, a prominent industrialist and known Left sympathiser. A ceremonial event, attended by a Soviet dignitary, marked the installation. The Lenin Centre, featuring the statue of Vladimir Lenin, has remained a significant landmark for decades, particularly during the period when the city was considered a Left stronghold. Madhav's remarks have now become a political flashpoint, with the Left accusing him of attempting to erase historical memory and provoke controversy. Meanwhile, BJP cadres have backed his proposal, saying it reflects a desire to 'restore cultural and ideological identity rooted in Telugu heritage.'
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madhav takes over as Andhra Pradesh BJP president, vows to carry forward party's legacy
P.V.N. Madhav officially assumed charge as BJP State president here on Wednesday amid a grand rally that witnessed participation from party workers and leaders across the State. The event coincided with the ABVP Foundation Day. The rally began at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, where Mr. Madhav paid floral tributes at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's statue. During the procession, Mr. Madhav garlanded the statue of legendary Telugu poet and Jnanpith awardee Viswanatha Satyanarayana. Hailing Mr. Satyanarayana's contribution to the Telugu language and literature, he noted the poet's role in advocating for Telugu as the legislative language of the State through a legislative lexicon. Addressing the media, Mr. Madhav demanded that Vijayawada's Lenin Centre be renamed after Viswanatha Satyanarayana, questioning the relevance of Lenin to India and advocating for a local icon who worked tirelessly for the Telugu language. 'Why should a place in India be named after Lenin, who has no connection to our country?' he asked. 'We must honour those who contributed to our culture and language. Viswanatha Satyanarayana deserves this recognition,' he said. At the party office, Mr. Madhav vowed to carry forward the party's legacy with the strength and determination demonstrated by his predecessors. He emphasised unity and proactive engagement, stating, 'Every worker is functioning with the spirit of being a leader. This collective zeal is the foundation of our movement.' Reflecting on political atmosphere in the State, Mr. Madhav said 'a decisive verdict has been delivered to end the anarchic rule,' signalling a turning point in the State's political landscape. Expressing his gratitude to the party, he said, 'I consider the post as a matter of great honour, and I will strive to uphold its dignity through dedicated service.' Mr. Madhav emphasised unity and strengthening of the party at the grassroot. 'Every karyakarta should feel like they are the president. We will move forward with discipline and national spirit,' he said. Recalling his ABVP roots, Mr. Madhav said it was meaningful to assume responsibilities on the ABVP Foundation Day. Outgoing president Daggubati Purandeswari expressed confidence that under Mr. Madhav's leadership, the party would grow stronger. 'The appointment of Mr. Madhav has already generated positive vibrations among party ranks. He will lead the BJP to greater heights in the State,' she said. Senior leaders, including Somu Veerraju, P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, Lanka Dinakar, N. Ramakrishna Reddy, V. Narayana Reddy, G. Sitaram Anjaneya Chowdhary, and B. Shivannarayana were present.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Madhav takes charge as AP BJP chief, vows to strengthen party
Vijayawada: P V N Madhav took charge as the new state BJP president at the party's state office in Vijayawada on Wednesday in the presence of state and district leaders. Speaking on the occasion, Madhav vowed to strengthen the party with integrity and vision, stating, 'I accept this responsibility with utmost respect and seriousness.' He paid floral tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar and legendary Telugu poet Viswanatha Satyanarayana, acknowledging the latter's contributions to promoting Telugu as the state's official language. Madhav garlanded their statues, symbolising his commitment to their ideals. The event coincided with ABVP Foundation Day, reflecting Madhav's roots in the student movement. Former state BJP president Daggubati Purandeswari, health minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, BJP MLC Somu Veerraju, Legislative Party Leader Penmatsa Vishnu Kumar Raju, MLAs Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy and N Eshwara Rao, 20-Point Programme Committee chairman Lanka Dinakar, National Council Member S Yamini Sharma and others congratulated Madhav. The day began with a grand BJP rally from Tummalapalli Kalakshetram, starting at the Ambedkar statue, proceeding through Eluru Road and Apsara Theater, and concluding at the BJP state office after paying tributes at Viswanatha Satyanarayana's statue near Lenin Centre. Later, Madhav met Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan at the Jana Sena Party's central office in Mangalagiri. During the rally, Madhav demanded renaming Lenin Centre after Viswanatha Satyanarayana, stating, 'Why retain a name with no connection to our country's values? We must honour Viswanatha Satyanarayana, who championed the Telugu language.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rename Lenin Centre in Vijayawada after noted Telugu poet: New BJP chief
Vijayawada: In a politically charged statement that stirred fresh debate in Andhra Pradesh, newly appointed BJP state president PVN Madhav demanded that Lenin Centre, one of Vijayawada's prominent landmarks, be renamed after Viswanatha Satyanarayana, the celebrated Telugu poet and Jnanpith awardee. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking during a rally held in the heart of Vijayawada on the occasion of his swearing-in, Madhav questioned the relevance of naming a central location in the city after Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin, who he said had "no connection whatsoever to India or its heritage." "Why should we retain a name like Lenin Centre when we have icons like Viswanatha Satyanarayana who dedicated their lives to our language and culture?" Madhav asked, drawing loud cheers from BJP supporters. He added that the BJP would work towards rechristening the spot to honour Viswanatha Satyanarayana, who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Telugu language and literature. Earlier in the day, Madhav, accompanied by several BJP leaders, paid floral tributes at the statue of Viswanatha Satyanarayana, acknowledging the poet's lifelong efforts in compiling a legislative lexicon aimed at recognising Telugu as the official language of the state. At the BJP state party office, Madhav formally took charge as the party's new state president on the occasion of ABVP foundation day. He said he would move forward with the strength and strategy laid down by his predecessors and hailed the discipline and dedication of BJP cadres. "Every worker is acting like they are the president of the party. That is the strength of BJP," he remarked. He also paid tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar, reaffirming BJP's vision rooted in social justice, nationalism, and cultural pride. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Nation-first slogan, commitment to upliftment of the last person in the queue, and the saffron flag – all of these form the core values that BJP brings to the people," he said. Former party chief and MP Daggubati Purandeswari, who was present at the event, expressed confidence in Madhav's leadership. She noted that the party completed organisational appointments from the village to state levels. "With the party's strengthening and his vision for the future of karyakartas, we are confident Madhav will lead the BJP forward in Andhra Pradesh," she said.
