GUNTUR: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kothuri Venkata Subba Rao was felicitated here on Monday following his appointment as a member of the Spices Board of India. The programme was held at the Kanyaka Parameswari temple and attended by party functionaries, traders, exporters and members of the business community.
Presiding over the meeting, senior BJP leader Nerella Madhava Rao said Mr. Subba Rao had been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since a young age as a swayamsevak and later as a pracharak. He recalled that during his tenure as city BJP president, Mr. Subba Rao played a key role in strengthening the party organisation and securing the victory of several corporators. His efforts in expanding the party’s labour wing across the State were also noted, he said.
Guntur East MLA Naseer Ahmed, who attended as the chief guest, said Mr. Subba Rao’s long-standing commitment to the party had been duly recognised. Referring to the prominence of Guntur chilli in the national market, he expressed the hope that exports would increase further, contributing to the region’s economic growth.
District BJP president Cherukuri Tirupati Rao said the appointment of experienced leaders like Mr. Subba Rao would benefit farmers and the trading community.
National Chilli Exporters Association secretary Thota Ramakrishna highlighted concerns over declining chilli quality due to excessive use of chemicals and stressed the need for improving soil health and adopting better technology to enhance yield and quality.
Senior BJP leaders Jupudi Rangaraju and Yadlapati Raghunatha Babu lauded Mr. Subba Rao’s contribution to the party.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Subba Rao said he would focus on improving the quality and export potential of spice crops from the district. He underlined the need for creating awareness among farmers, particularly in enhancing quality standards in crops such as turmeric.
Several leaders, including Tobacco Board Chairman Yashwanth, former chairman Edlapati Raghunatha Babu, BJP leader Jammula Shyam Kishore, exporters, traders and representatives of various organisations, were present.
