M Nageswara Rao’s new public mission: From CBI to SSP
HYDERABAD: Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) interim director M Nageswara Rao has taken charge as national president of the Sarvajan Sanatan Party (SSP).
SSP office-bearers elected Rao to the post. He described his entry into active politics as a new responsibility in his public life.
Rao said his experience with the administrative system encouraged him to enter politics. He said he would use that experience to serve the larger interests of the nation and society.
Rao calls political entry a new public responsibility
“Satya Sanatan, Nitya Nutan is not merely a slogan but the foundation of his vision,” Rao said.
According to Rao, Sanatan represents more than a form of worship. He described it as a worldview based on truth, Dharma, duty, justice, compassion and public welfare.
“Let us build a modern India without severing ties with our roots. In our pursuit of development, we must not lose sight of our civilizational heritage. Future generations should understand and value the rich tradition they have inherited,” he said.
Rao stresses balance between development and heritage
Rao said his political journey would focus on combining modern development with an understanding of India’s civilizational heritage.
His experience in administration, law and order, security and investigation will also shape his public work, he said.
Odisha-cadre IPS officer handled key assignments
Rao, a 1986-batch Odisha-cadre Indian Police Service officer, served in several key positions in Odisha Police before joining the CBI.
As additional director general of Odisha Fire Services, he led rescue and relief operations during Cyclone Phailin in 2013 and Cyclone Hudhud in 2014. During Hudhud, Odisha sent more than 500 Fire Service personnel to Visakhapatnam under his leadership.
Rao also handled several high-profile investigations, including the 1991 Cuttack hooch tragedy. He was among the early police officers in Odisha to use DNA fingerprinting in crime investigation.
He later served in the Central Reserve Police Force and took part in counter-insurgency operations. Rao joined the CBI in 2016 and served as joint director before becoming additional director.
He first took charge as interim CBI director in October 2018 during a crisis involving then director Alok Verma and special director Rakesh Asthana. Rao returned as interim chief for a second stint in January 2019.
Rao became the second Odisha-cadre IPS officer to head the CBI after Uma Shankar Mishra, who served as CBI director from 2003 to 2005.
