Pragmatic leadership with unmatched political dexterity

Throughout Bhaskara Rao’s political ups and downs, I remained in touch with him, always finding him full of optimism. I frequently sought his prescriptive, descriptive, and comprehensive perspective on contemporary politics. His responses were marked by extraordinary brevity and a firm sense of political ethics. For him, ‘right was right’ and ‘wrong was wrong.’ He never minced words, a trait I can personally vouch for as being entirely true

Regardless of one’s perspective, no one else could have rendered so much justice to the finance portfolio. His implicit and explicit presence was a catalyst at every pivotal stage of political and state development, leaving an enduring imprint. During my association with him, there were many politically interesting aspects that I had the occasion to either closely observe or being an onlooker.

FormerChief Minister of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh (AP) Nadendla Bhaskara Rao was a leader of immense political consequence whose impact far exceeded his brief tenure as the CM.

From his foray into public life until his passing on April 22, he retained his own exceptional political identity, leaving an indelible mark. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering his deepest condolences in a letter to his son Manohar, mentioned ‘Bhaskar Rao’s demise is an irreparable loss that words cannot convey. He will be remembered as a seasoned public figure, who devoted decades of his life to the service of Andhra Pradesh and its people’

The day he passed away, I went to his Jubilee Hills residence, a place for contemporary memories, and paid my heartfelt tributes to the ‘soul who was truly a legendary pillar of our political history.’ The moment I saw his son and AP Cabinet Minister Nadendla Manohar, there was an emotional reflection on his father's enduring influence. We both subtly touched the aspect of my association with the late leader.

We recounted how I was frequently in touch with his father, constantly exchanging thoughts on the shifting political developments that he meticulously navigated with such profound insight. I still remember the day Bhaskara Rao proudly introduced Manohar to me as a nationally ranked tennis player, who had participated in several international tournaments. Manohar shared a few of his father’s thoughts with a high-profile Congress leader there.

My acquaintance with the late leader that began nearly four decades ago, sustained as a bond that I hold in the highest regard, though I hesitate to claim 'friendship' out of sheer respect for the vast distance between his stature and mine. Over these forty years, my admiration for Bhaskara Rao followed a singular, unwavering trajectory: ‘it has only ever increased, never once faltering or declining by even the slightest measure.’

When NT Rama Rao (NTR) founded Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982, Nadendla Bhaskara Rao was the ‘Critical Mass’ and next in command. NTR might be the movement's charismatic face, but Bhaskara Rao was its ‘chief strategic architect.’ He provided the structural gravity shaping the destiny of AP, whose mark is still visible and enduring. Being one of the (rather the first among the) senior leaders who played a key role in the formation of TDP, after NTR became the Chief Minister, Bhaskar Rao joined his cabinet as finance minister.

Regardless of one’s perspective, no one else could have rendered so much justice to the finance portfolio. His implicit and explicit presence was a catalyst at every pivotal stage of political and state development, leaving an enduring imprint. During my association with him, there were many politically interesting aspects that I had the occasion to either closely observe or being an onlooker.

I fondly reminisce about a few, which are unforgettable. When Bhaskar Rao entered the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1978 and became a minister in Chenna Reddy's cabinet, I did not know him at all. It was only when he became a second time MLA during 1983-85 that I met him. My first precise contact, though the date escapes me, was through the late former minister Rambhupal Chowdary.

When Bhaskara Rao seized the opportunity to replace NTR as CM, acting in the true spirit of a leader seeking power, as any politician worth their salt would, it was a move that, had he failed, would have resulted in a very different personal story. I will discuss the pros and cons of that transition in the following paragraphs. Throughout Bhaskara Rao’s political ups and downs, I remained in touch with him, always finding him full of optimism.

I frequently sought his prescriptive, descriptive, and comprehensive perspective on contemporary politics. His responses were marked by extraordinary brevity and a firm sense of political ethics. For him, ‘right was right’ and ‘wrong was wrong.’ He never minced words, a trait I can personally vouch for as being entirely true. During 1989-94, Bhaskara Rao was elected to the Assembly and, despite being self-restrained from campaigning, reflecting his subdued public persona, remained an aspirant for the CM’s post, which was but natural.

Dr M Channa Reddy, then president of APCC was the automatic choice of the Congress high command. It was he who led the party to a landslide victory in the Assembly elections. I vividly remember the sportsman spirit of Bhaskara Rao on the day the AICC observers decided on Channa Reddy’s name at Raj Bhavan guest house. In typical Congress fashion, they held a series of discussions with MLAs, a unique display of party discipline! Regardless of how many supported and whom, Channa Reddy was chosen eventually.

I was present at the Raj Bhavan premises that day. Knowing my prior association with Dr Channa Reddy, it was Bhaskara Rao himself who informed me of the decision in advance. Despite my subsequent role as PRO to Chief Minister Channa Reddy, our association continued. Later, during the 1998 Lok Sabha elections, Bhaskar Rao was chosen as the Congress candidate for Khammam, a ticket for sure, he ‘did not lobby for,’ unlike many others. I recall being at his residence either when the announcement was made or upon his return from Delhi with the allotment, even as a young Youth Congress leader expected it.

While I was with Bhaskara Rao, an MLA, representing a segment forming part of Khammam Constituency called in distress, reporting that a Youth Congress leader had ransacked his residence at the MLA Quarters. Without hesitation, Bhaskara Rao reached the spot to console him, immediately directing the authorities to act, while promising his full support. That was the essence of Bhaskara Rao: a leader of action. I was by his side throughout the incident. Interestingly, that same Youth Congress leader is now a member of the BJP.

The 1998 election campaign in Khammam was formidable, as Bhaskara Rao faced a powerful sitting MP from the CPI(M) who had previously defeated a Union Cabinet Minister. Being from the district myself, I visited Khammam a couple of times to assist, including facilitating (only) contact with a prominent political family. Bhaskara Rao won that election, but his term was cut short by mid-term polls. He was denied the ticket for the next election from Khammam.

Nadendla Bhaskara Rao’s 1984 transition should be understood not as ‘backstab or front-stab,’ but through the same lens of pragmatic leadership that defines India’s most seasoned veterans, examples of which are numerous.

Sharad Pawar dislodged Vasantdada Patil in 1978 at just 38 years of age. Others include Ajit Pawar, and Nitish Kumar, when shifting allegiances were seen not as an end but as a means to uphold a mandate.

Right or wrong, Bhaskar Rao’s actions were perhaps rooted in the belief that the state, at that point in time, required a decisive course correction. Therefore, why should credibility not be given to Bhaskara Rao, who may have acted as a catalyst for political evolution? How can it be ‘political dexterity’ when others did it, yet a ‘backstab’ for Nadendla?

His legacy is that of a bold individual who, in the spirit of the nation’s greatest political strategists, was willing to navigate complex landscapes to steer his state toward a new direction.

The visionary Nadendla Bhaskara Rao was the decisive architect of political evolution. At our last meeting, he remained cheerful and energetic. I cherish our final photograph together. May his soul rest in peace.