Naidu's emotional swansong on last day at Telangana
Naidu addressed the Council with a nostalgic farewell speech during the last AP session at Telangana
The next AP Assembly will be held at Amaravati next year
FollowThe last day of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly session, which is also the last session on Telangana soil came to an end in a slightly emotional but comical twist.
Disturbed by the developments in lower house, that was in absolute chaos in light of the special status verdict, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu first chose to address the Upper House and later the media with an emotional swansong.
The next AP Assembly will be held at Amaravati and will commence with budget session next year.
Naidu addressed the Council with a nostalgic speech about fond memories and finally bidding adieu to the Telangana Assembly that had hosted the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for the past two years,
Naidu’s interesting parting remarks moved ruling party members so much that they flocked to the CM to click memorable selfies.
Below are some of the highlights of Naidu’s moving speech
"I still remember the atmosphere in the House (on the day he first entered the Council). Those incidents I can’t afford to forget. These buildings remind me (of the beginning) of my political journey and the days I spent here from the initial days of my political career," Naidu recalled.
“Legislators should cultivate simplicity. Simplicity is my hallmark. See, how fit I am. I take a “lota” (glass) of Ragi ‘java’ (gruel) as breakfast. In the afternoon, I eat the same dish along with an egg white omelet as lunch. Evening, I take a fruit. For supper, dry fruits and some soup. Simplicity will make politician's role model for others,” he added.
"Of late, I have started eating fish as per doctors' advice. This strict regimen, coupled with Yoga, has helped me remain as fit as a fiddle," Naidu explained.
“Politics is my chosen profession to serve people. Having achieved physical fitness, I never get tired, despite working for 18 hours day. What time is it now? It is half past 2 p.m., I am not yet hungry. I want to continue the session skipping the lunch," he said.
Naidu said he had always felt privileged to address the Council i.e Upper House since it is here that many a serious discussion takes place.
Naidu’s emotional sermon influenced chairman A Chakrapani so much that he promptly got up and followed members for a group photo forgetting that he was supposed to adjourn the house sine die before he left the chair, till someone reminded him of his duties.
Later when he addressed the media, Naidu spoke about why he opted out of the race to be Prime Minister in 1996 and how he convinced PM Vajpayee to make Abdul Kalam President of India
“I tried to contest the council elections at the age of 23. I declined the offer of becoming prime minister in 1996 at the advise of my son Lokesh. Lokesh enlightened me on how transient the glory of PM’s post is compared to the permanency of chief minister post. It was I who advised NTR to enter public life to serve the people. I never forget the pains I took to make Dr Abdul Kalam, president of India after convincing the then PM Vajpayee with a great difficulty,” he said.
Naidu also shared some lesser known details about his marriage to NTR’s daughter and how he never asked for dowry and why he didn’t join TDP when NTR launched it 1982.
