HYDERABAD, July 28: Former Union Minister and NDA’s vice-presidential candidate M Venkaiah Naidu today asserted that he had never craved for posts during his long political career but they (posts) came searching after him.
At a young age, he was entrusted with the post of the BJP’s Andhra Pradesh unit stewardship, and while he was an union minister he was elevated to the coveted post of the party’s national president, Mr Naidu said at a felicitation function in the city.
Mr Naidu said he was moved to tears when had to leave the party which he had always considered as his mother following his nomination to the VP’s post and recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had consoled him (Mr Naidu) finding the former in an emotional state.
He also recalled that he withstood the TDP wave in 1983 election and had won from his constituency.
Mr Naidu revealed that he had declined the offer of ministership by the TDP founder and former AP Chief Minister N T Rama Rao if Mr Naidu quit BJP and joined the TDP.
Mr Naidu revealed that he was planning to say goodbye to active politics in 2020 and devote himself to social service.
During his political career, there was no pressure of any sort from his family members, adding that his children who never misused his position came up in life on their own, Mr Naidu said.
Mr Naidu also revealed that he had never evinced any interest in his son’s business.
The Congress leaders had charged that a firm dealing in vehicles owned by Mr Naidu’s son was favoured by the Telangana government for procuring vehicles for the state police department.
At a separate function, Mr Naidu inaugurated a free health camp. On his arrival in the city for the first time after he was chosen for the VP’s post last evening, Mr Naidu was given a rousing reception by a large number of party leaders and workers. (UNI)