Bharat Ratna for Manmohan Singh: Special session of Telangana Assembly passes resolution

Gives unanimous approval for government's proposal to install the statue of former Prime Minister in Hyderabad, citing his role in Telangana State formation

Hyderabad: The Telangana Legislative Assembly convened a special session on Monday to pay tributes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and passed an unanimous resolution urging the Centre to confer him with the Bharat Ratna. The legislators also gave unanimous approval for the State government’s proposal to install the statue of Singh in Hyderabad, citing his role in Telangana State formation.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy who moved a condolence motion, remembered Singh as a visionary economist and leader. He highlighted the former Prime Minister’s pivotal role in transforming India’s economy through liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation (LPG) policies, crediting him with laying the foundation for India’s global competitiveness. He lauded the former Prime Minister as the architect of India’s economic reforms.

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Revanth Reddy praised Singh’s distinguished service in various capacities, including RBI Governor, union Finance Minister, and Prime Minister. He said Singh’s tenure as the union Finance Minister had transformed Indian economy. “Dr Manmohan Singh’s leadership stabilised India’s economic policies on the global stage. Laws like the Right to Information and employment guarantee reflect his enduring legacy,” he remarked.

On behalf of the main opposition BRS, party working president and MLA KT Rama Rao extended full support to the Chief Minister’s motion, emphasising Manmohan Singh’s contribution to the nation, especially Telangana State which was formed during his tenure. He credited former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao for recognising Singh’s capabilities and initiating economic reforms that strengthened India’s forex reserves.

Highlighting Singh’s simplicity and commitment to the Congress, Rama Rao noted the former Prime Minister’s pivotal role in Telangana’s formation. He recalled that the former Prime Minister appreciated BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao who served in his Cabinet, for giving up his portfolio in the coalition government, in his fight for Telangana State formation and termed him as a “Karma Yogi” who would achieve his goal.

He also urged the Assembly to pass a resolution seeking a Bharat Ratna and a Delhi memorial for former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, who belonged to Telangana and was deprived of the honour. “It is time we honour Narasimha Rao’s legacy alongside Dr Manmohan Singh’s,” he said, stressing the duo’s transformative impact on India’s economic and social condition.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, BJP floor leader Yeleti Maheshwar Reddy, BRS legislators T Harish Rao and Talasani Srinivas Yadav, CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao and others also spoke on the occasion.