Rama Krishna Sangem
Newly elected BJP Telangana unit president N Ramachander Rao on July 1 Tuesday promised to bring in a culture of collective leadership to run the party affairs in the state. Addressing a gathering of party senior leaders and cadre at a function hall at Manneguda, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Ramachander, as he is fondly called by party insiders, said it was a privilege to become the president of BJP’s Telangana unit which was led by many eminent leaders in the past.
Accepting formally the responsibilities of the state party presidency, Ramachander said that he would not be a weak or dummy leader in the post, as was alleged by sections of social media purportedly run by some political parties. “I maybe a soft spoken person, but inside of me is a tough person who fought with opponents right from college and university days. People who knew me know this. I fought with Naxalites during my student union days in Osmania University in 1980s,” he said.
The event was graced by Union Minister Sobha Karandlaje who oversaw the election of BJP state president last couple of days and presented him the appointment letter to this effect. Union Coal Minister and outgoing state unit president G Kishan Reddy formally handed over the charge to Ramachander, amid cheers from the crowd. Another Union minister – minister of state for home – Bandi Sanjay, BJP Rajya Sabha MP, OBC Morcha national president Dr K Laxman, and 6 MPs, 8 MLAs and other leaders were present.
BJP organisation in charges Abhay Patil, Chandrasekhar too were there. It may be noted that Ramachander Rao was elected unopposed as BJP state president on June 30, Sunday. Having spent around four decades in RSS affiliates like ABVP and Jana Sangh, Ramachander was the party MLC from 2015-21. As an advocate, he argued several cases of importance to the B JP and affiliate bodies. He thanked PM Modi, HM Amit Shah, national president JP Nadda, Kishan Reddy, Dr Laxman, Sanjay and others for giving him the opportunity to become state BJP president.
Fight against Congress government
Ramachander declared that he would take the support of one and all in the party in their fight against the anti-people policies of Congress government in Telangana. Stating that his aim is to see unfurling of BJP flag on Gokkonda fort, meaning bringing the party to power in Telangana, he vowed to work sincerely to this end. Former minister and Malkajigiri BJP MP Etela Rajender who was an aspirant to the BJP state president post too spoke and congratulated Ramachander Rao and wished him success.