Row over proposal to name Krishna district after NTR

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s announcement that he would rename Krishna district as Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) district after coming to power has kicked up a row.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and even members of Jagan’s own party are opposing the move.

Jagan’s announcement came on Monday while he was on a visit to Nimmakuru village in Krishna district, the birthplace of the late actor and founder of the TDP, NTR.

Jagan was in the village as part of his 'Praja Sankalpa Padayatra' and inspected works undertaken under various government schemes. While interacting with NTR's relatives, Jagan said that he would name the district after NTR and strive for the development of Nimmakuru and also the district.

By making the announcement at Nimmakuru, the village adopted by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s son Lokesh, Jagan has rattled the TDP leadership.

A slew of statements came from the ruling party ministers and leaders condemning the statement, saying that Jagan is trying to divert the attention of the people from the “Dharma Poratam” undertaken by Naidu in Tirupati.

“The proposal to rename the district is under government scrutiny. We are also demanding the centre to honour NTR with Bharata Ratna,” said Kollu Ravindra, state minister and a native of Krishna district.

The late actor's widow Lakshmi Parvathi, who is a member of the YSR Congress, appreciated Jagan's proposal by calling it a bold move.

“Chandrababu Naidu uses NTR’s picture on election posters but did nothing to develop the native village of the great leader. Only a leader with a kind heart like Jagan will make a promise like that,” she said.

However, YSR Congress advisor Dutta Ramachandra Rao fired the first salvo on Tuesday, saying that he is quitting the party in protest against the decision taken by Jagan.

“The district and its people are indebted to river Krishna. The recognition, the prosperity and the culture of the people of the district is bestowed by the great river Krishna,” he said addressing the media. He further said that he would soon launch “Krishna Porata Samithi” and fight against Jagan’s decision till he withdraws the proposal.