New Delhi Aug 18 (IANS) Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Friday described former Cabinet colleague and incumbent Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu as a common man s politician with the cause of farmers and poor close to his heart.
Speaking about the book "Tireless Voice Relentless Journey" a compilation of Naidu s select parliamentary speeches and articles Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the book provides an insight into the country s political history.
The book was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 4. The two Ministers were speaking about the book at a function at the Constitution Club here.
"If one needs to understand the political history of the last two-and-half decades and wants inputs on topics such as Kashmir militancy Tamil Nadu fishermen s issues farmers issues about the north-east and socio-political changes during this period this book is a good source " Rudy said.
He said Naidu s connect with the common man was evident in his speeches and articles.
"Recently he asked me if as Vice President can he travel in a commercial airline with commoners? I said even if they allow you it will cause inconvenience to the fellow passengers due to protocol " Rudy said.
Naqvi recalled how once as Bharatiya Janata Party President in the early 2000s Naidu asked him to arrange a public meeting in Srinagar s Sher-e-Kashmir park at the height of militancy.
"We reluctantly made arrangements and expected around 150-200 people to turn up. At the height of insurgency it was difficult to expect people to come to a BJP meeting. In the end 10-12 people turned up. As the convenor I was embarrassed but Venkaiah ji told me not to worry and spoke for half an hour addressing those dozen-odd people " Naqvi said.
"Later he took a boat ride in the Dal Lake and interacted with the common people. Such is his conviction and temperament " he added.
Naqvi said the focus of Naidu s social and political activities has been the poor and farmers and this was evident from his speeches.
--IANS
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