Telangana’s New Chief Minister: Anumula Revanth Reddy’s Political Journey
Anumula Revanth Reddy, recently appointed as the Chief Minister of Telangana, has risen to prominence in the youngest state of India, overcoming significant political barriers. With a political career spanning 17 years, Reddy has never held an administrative position or been part of a ruling party, yet he has consistently demonstrated ambition and a belief in transforming dreams into reality.
In an anecdote from his personal life, while playing with his grandson Riyansh—whose name signifies “first rays of the sun”—Reddy expressed his conviction that he could be the beacon of hope for the Congress party in its battle against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, even when its leader, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, appeared formidable.
Reddy’s aspiration to be Chief Minister ignited during his student days with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Notably, he has never associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His political journey began with grassroots involvement, notably winning a committee position in the prestigious Jubilee Hills Cooperative Housing Society. He first gained substantial attention in 2006 when he won a Zilla Parishad Territorial Council seat as an Independent against the Congress party, achieving a significant victory over the official Congress candidate in the Member of Legislative Council elections.
His command over oratory and proficiency in the Telangana dialect drew the interest of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, who recruited him. Reddy initially declined an invitation to join Congress from Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy and opted for the TDP. In 2009, he was elected as an MLA from Kodangal, defeating a five-time Congress incumbent.
During the 2014 elections, Reddy was re-elected as a TDP candidate and subsequently became the working president of the Telangana TDP. However, recognizing the diminishing prospects for the TDP in Telangana, he transitioned to the Congress party in 2017 after leaving his assembly seat. His initial defeat in the 2018 elections, amidst a strong TRS wave, did not deter him; he won a parliamentary seat from Malkajgiri just months later, strengthening his ties with Congress leadership.
Reddy’s ascent resulted from a challenging journey. Born on November 8, 1969, in Kondareddipalli, a small village in Wanaparthy district, he is the fourth of seven siblings in an agrarian family historically vested with land ownership and community power. He has publicly acknowledged Mulugu MLA Dasari Anasuya as a significant influence in his life.
However, Reddy’s political career has not been without controversy. In 2015, he was detained by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly attempting to bribe a nominated MLA in favor of the TDP in the MLC elections, resulting in a month-long jail sentence. The most painful moments of this episode included receiving a bail permit to attend his daughter Nymisha’s wedding. His assertion to the media during this turmoil—signaled by a confident twirl of his moustache—has become a symbol of his resilient spirit.
Published – December 05, 2023 07:05 pm IST
