It was 45 years ago that he started off his journey of political ascendancy through his participation in the Jai Andhra Movement for separation of coastal Rayalaseema and Andhra from Andhra Pradesh. His State did get bifurcated in 2014 with Telangana coming into existence but, ironically, there was a role reversal for M Venkaiah Naidu. From being the cheerleader for separation, he became the ‘principal cord’ between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — settling, mediating and intervening in issues between the two entities till his candidature for the Vice-President’s post was announced.
He successfully kept both the States and the parties ruling them in the Centre’s good books. And vice versa too! His tilt towards his home State wasn’t missed out, but none pointed a finger at him, an illustration of the art he picked up in his over four-decade-long political journey. No wonder then that barring the Congress, ruling parties in both the States, TDP and the TRS, as also the Opposition like YSR Congress threw their lot behind the NDA in the presidential as well as vice-presidential polls.
More so, since Naidu would become only the third Telugu — after 48 long years — to assume the Vice-President’s office, with the earlier ones being Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and VV Giri. Radhakrishnan was the country’s first Vice-President and held the post for two terms between 1952 and 1962. Giri was in office from 1967 to 1969.
With Naidu out of the political scene, there are worries in Andhra Pradesh. Naidu was the “pointsman” for Andhra’s consistent bid to secure a special package from the Centre. “We could get our demands, concerns and needs convey to the highest levels through Naidu, who enthusiastically took it up,” said a senior leader from Andhra Pradesh.
He was also the Central BJP’s pointsman for its expansionist plans down South. Ever the networker, organiser, orator, it was the Nellore man Naidu who was the BJP’s face in South India. Till recently, he was the Centre’s go-to-man when it came to negotiating with the warring AIADMK factions in Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, they too supported Naidu and Kovind.
Metamorphosing from a student leader with the ABVP to being active in Andhra Pradesh politics as an MlA to helming the affairs of the BJP to serving in the Union Cabinet and becoming the Vice-President-elect now, Naidu’s journey has been one of a consistent upward flight.
The astute floor manager that he was for the BJP and known for his rhymed and witty remarks, some pun intended some not, Naidu’s skills to lighten up tense moments will come in handy in handling the affairs in the Rajya Sabha, where he served for four terms from two different States - Rajasthan and Karnataka.
Radhakrishnan and Giri both became Presidents too. Whether Naidu follows in their footsteps will be known in times to come.