‘Friend to all’: Former President Ram Nath Kovind praises Bandaru Dattatreya at autobiography release in Hyderabad

Reflects on Haryana Governor's inclusive approach to politics, recalls his resilience during the Emergency, when he motivated fellow prisoners with hope

Hyderabad: Former President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday praised Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya as a rare leader in public life who has no foes or rivals. Speaking at the launch of Dattatreya’s Telugu-language autobiography, Prajala Kathe, Naa Atma Katha (The Story of People is My Life Story), Kovind described him as “a personality who is a friend to all.”

A host of dignitaries from across the political spectrum attended the event, including former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, and several Governors and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy.

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“I think, in his [Dattatreya’s] dictionary of life, there are no words like enemy or rival,” Kovind remarked. He also lauded Dattatreya’s contributions during the Emergency, recalling how he inspired fellow jail inmates with optimism. Kovind further highlighted Dattatreya’s tenure as Union Labour Minister, citing key initiatives like minimum wages, minimum pension, and enhanced gratuity that continue to benefit lakhs of workers today.

Venkaiah Naidu praised Dattatreya for dedicating his entire life to public service, noting that “he never had a personal life—his life has always been intertwined with the people.” Naidu emphasized the importance of ideological consistency, adding, “Some politicians switch party loyalties like changing diapers, but Dattatreya stood for ideology, honesty, and integrity.”

Calling him a “gentleman politician,” Chandrababu Naidu recalled Dattatreya’s service as an RSS volunteer during the 1977 cyclone in Krishna district and his imprisonment during the Emergency. He said Dattatreya’s humble life and public contributions serve as a role model.

Chandrababu Naidu also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for striving to position India among the world’s top nations and called for efforts to make the Telugu community the most prosperous globally.

Revanth Reddy described Dattatreya as ‘Ajatashatru’—one without enemies—saying he commands cross-party respect, much like former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Reflecting on his own political journey, Revanth said, “I did my schooling in yours [BJP], college with him [Naidu], and am now doing a job with Rahul Gandhi ji.” He shared this anecdote from a lunch interaction during the recent NITI Aayog meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

Former Chief Justice of India N V Ramana also praised Dattatreya for prioritizing human relationships, noting that this quality brought together leaders across party lines at the event. Dignitaries in attendance included Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, and his counterparts from Andhra Pradesh, Tripura, and Odisha—S. Abdul Nazeer, N. Indrasena Reddy, and K. Hari Babu, respectively.