Memorial for ‘anti-Telangana’ Harikrishna in Hyd stirs row

According State funeral and announcing a memorial in Hyderabad for Nandamuri Harikrishna by the Telangana Government has kicked up a major row with many people raising their voice against it and questioning the motive.

Harikrishna, son of former Chief Minister and TDP founder NT Rama Rao died in a road accident on Wednesday and the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced giving him State funeral, an honour normally reserved for figures of national stature.

Hours before his cremation at “Mahaprastanam” cremation grounds in Jubilee Hills State Minister for cinematography T Srinivas Yadav went a step forward and announced allocation of 450 quarry yards of prime land adjacent to the cremation ground to build a memorial for 61 year old Harikrishna.

It came as a big shock and surprise to many across the State as Harkrishna was in the forefront of strongly opposing separate Telangana State and had even resigned from Rajya Sabha in protest against formation of Telangana.

People from cross sections have questioned the reason for this generosity of KCR Government pointing out that he was neither a nationally important political figure nor a big film star like his father.

Renowned economist and a prominent Hyderabadi, like so many others took to social media to lodge a protest and raise questions.

"What is in Nandamuri Harikrishna's life that distinguishes him or make him an inspiration? Only persons of High stature like the PMs, CMs and acclaimed figures and persons of eminence were honoured with State funerals. Harikrishna is nowhere in that league. He wasnt much of an actor. He wasn't much of a politician. What Probably most distinguished him was that he drove his fathers election bus. Ironically it was bad driving that killed him", he wrote on Facebook.

Others questioned the reason for Telangana Government building a memorial for him when he did not give any such honour for the youth who laid down their lives for the cause of separate state. Neera Kishore , president, Telangana Praja Samiti, while expressing sympathy with the NTR family over a great loss condemned allotment of land for the memorial for a person who "spoke against the formation of Telangana State".

"The State Government's move is a disrespect to over 1000 students who laid down their lives for Telangana", Kishore added. He wanted the Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to allot his personal land if he waned a memorial for Harikrishna. "Telangana lands should not be used for political mileage", Kishore said.

Many people believe that KCR Government had gone overboard in an attempt to impress the Andhra settlers community in Hyderabad which continues to be loyal to TDP and professes love for NTR family. Numerically significant Andhra settlers have a vital role to play in some assembly constituencies of Hyderabad.

The other reason being attributed to the largesse was KCR's personal attachment to NTR who mentored and groomed him and gave a big break in politics after floating Telugu Desam party in 1982. KCR closely knew Harikrishna from those days when the latter used to drive election campaign vehicle of NTR "Chaitanya Ratham".

Critics also point out that Harikrishna was born in Andhra and was elected to the State assembly from Hindupur in Rayalaseema and had no connection with Telangana. They also argue that Harikrishna's film or political standing can not be the reason for such honor as he hardly worked in 13 films and was a MLA and Minister for six months.

The twitter was also replete with criticism of KCR move.

"Harikrishna (NTR’s son) and his brothers,sisters, sons are billionaires.Haven’t seen doneany goodto people, perhaps, yes for brother-law Chandrababu Naidu.

Absolutely unnecessary to allot Govt. land for his memorial. He owns hundreds of acre of land can have memorial on his or sons", tweeted J Ramakrishna, a retired employee.

Another person Sai Ram commented on Twitter, "No offense but why did the Government allocate land for HariKrishna's memorial? He was neither a prominent politician nor did he favor Telangana. All this for #SettlerVotes in coming elections?"