Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar unveiled the 9.3 feet statue of the man, who made the Telugu’s proud and fought all his life for upholding the self-respect of his race.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj, TDP chief Chandra Babu Naidu, Union Minister Purandeswari, Hari Krishna, Bala Krishna, Jr. NTR and Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvati, widow of the late leader were present. Apart from them union ministers Jairam Ramesh, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Pallamraju, Jaipal Reddy, Chiranjeevi, Killi Kruparani, Sarve Satyanarayana, BJP top leaders L K Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi, Ravi Sankar Prasad, Arun Jaitley and SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav were among those who attended the ceremony.

Sonia absent

Congress president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was conspicuous by her absence at the programme. She heeded the advice of senior MPs of the state who met her on Monday and asked her not to attend the programme. They told her as NTR fought all his life against the Congress, her attending the programme would send wrong signals to the people.

When media questioned about her absence, senior leader and MP V Hanumanta Rao said it was at their advice that Sonia Gandhi abstained from the programme. He said as NTR led a party that opposed Congress, Sonia Gandhi attending the programme would have sent wrong signals to the people.

Now it is learnt that Konatala met the PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana secretly along with another leader Somayajulu. It is being said that Konatala was aghast that Dadi was admitted despite his prior warnings. If Konatala goes back to Congress, it would add strength to the ruling party.

Konatala who joined the YSR Congress during the initial days, has prepared some strong leaders in the party and assured them party tickets in the Visakhapatnam district. Now Konatala’s followers are unsure of their tickets. They are forcing him to leave the party. Konatala said on Tuesday that it was unfortunate that Dadi was admitted to the party despite his advising Vijayamma and Jagan that his entry would only be detrimental to the party’s interests. He said he considered the interests of the workers to be supreme and would act according to their views.

As mohan babu announced his political re-entry few days ago, he seems to be checking the possibilities of which party can offer him an Assembly ticket. While there is a speculation of YSR Congress has already denied a seat, there is always a chance with TDP and Congress. If Chandrababu Naidu too neglects mohan babu, then what would be the situation? Can Chiranjeevi and mohan babu gel together in same party?