Nothing wrong in renaming NTRUHS as YSR Health University: Lakshmi Parvathi

Vijayawada: A few days after the state government's move to rename Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences as Dr. YSR University of Health Sciences, Lakshmi Parvathi, Telugu Academy chairperson and wife of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, clarified the move. She said the decision to change the name of NTR University of Health Sciences was not born out of jealousy or revenge toward NTR.

Speaking to the media, she said, "Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy has no hatred for NTR like N. Chandrababu Naidu. Naidu has no right to speak about NTR. I see no wrong in renaming the University as Dr. YSR University of Health Sciences. Also Jr. NTR made a good statement on this issue, showing his maturity."

Reacting to the ongoing issue of changing the university name, she said she supported renaming NTR University and was proud of giving his name to districts. "Renaming the Krishna region as NTR district shows Jagan's affection and respect for NTR," she said and added that she will meet the CM soon and submit a letter to name one of the biggest projects in the state after N.T Ramarao.

Lakshmi Parvathi alleged that Chandrababu Naidu led the coup against NTR in August 1995 and it was backed by Eenadu chairman Ramoji Rao and Andhra Jyothi MD Vemuri Radha Krishna. She took a strong exception to Radha Krishna writing a news story about the 1995 coup in his Sunday column in Andhra Jyothi, in which he blamed Lakshmi Parvathi for the coup.

Lakshmi Parvathi said Mr. Naidu did not want NTR to marry her. "He was the person who told former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee not to give Bharat Ratna to NTR. I am ready to file cases against anyone who makes unwanted comments about my marriage and personal life," she said.