Another Reddy rises in Telangana as KCR’s party routed in the state

• In 2009, Reddy contested from Kodangal assembly constituency and won the election as a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate.
• Along with 12 other MLAs, Reddy resigned from the TDP and joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 2017.
• In June 2021, Reddy was appointed as the president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), the party's state unit in Telangana.
  

Revenge, they say, is best served cold. And Revanth Reddy of the Congress Party has done just that. Months before Telangana went to polls, Congress leader A Revanth Reddy was detained by the police in Hyderabad during a protest he was leading along with his party’s workers against Chief Minister K Chandrsekhar Reddy (KCR). It was not the first time that he was arrested by the Telangana police. An emotional Revanth Reddy once said that he would never forget the fact that he was in jail when his daughter was getting married. Call him the product of a political witch-hunt if you will, but this win is the best vindication Revanth Reddy could have looked for.

Sunday’s victory should heal some of Revanth Reddy’s hurt, who is now all set to be the next Chief Minister of the southern state. KCR, who contested from two seats this time round, was trailing Revanth Reddy in Kamareddy seat by more than a few thousand votes.

Big celebrations were seen at the residence of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Revanth Reddy's residence and party headquarters in Gandhi Bhavan, after the Election Commission data showed that Congress had won in India’s youngest state.

Congress supporters were dancing amid drumbeats outside the residence of Reddy, a front-runner for the post of chief minister. He is currently serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Malkajgiri constituency in the 17th Lok Sabha.

Early political career

Born on November 8, 1967, in Kondareddy Palli, Mahbubnagar district, Telangana, Reddy's political journey began during his student days. His active involvement in student politics nurtured his passion for serving the community and advocating for the rights of the marginalised.

His early political forays include contesting local body elections in 2006 and emerging victorious as a ZPTC member from Midjil mandal as an independent candidate.

Reddy's political career gained momentum in 2007 when he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from the Hyderabad seat as an independent candidate. His independent spirit and ability to connect with the masses caught the attention of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu, leading to Reddy's induction into the TDP in 2008.

His association with the TDP proved to be a turning point in his political trajectory. In 2009, he contested from Kodangal assembly constituency and won the election as a TDP candidate.

His electoral success continued in 2014 when he retained his Kodangal assembly seat, cementing his position as a prominent political figure in Telangana.

A shift in allegiance

In 2017, a significant shift occurred in Reddy's political allegiance. Along with 12 other MLAs, he resigned from the TDP and joined the Indian National Congress (INC). This move was driven by ideological differences and a belief that the INC could better serve the interests of the people of Telangana.

Reddy's decision to join the INC marked a new chapter in his political career. He contested the 2018 Telangana Assembly elections from Kodangal as a Congress candidate and lost to TRS candidate Patnam Narender Reddy.

He contested from the same constituency in the 2019 general elections and emerged victorious, securing his place in the 17th Lok Sabha.

In June 2021, Reddy was appointed as the president of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), the party's state unit in Telangana. This responsibility entrusted him with spearheading the party's campaign in the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections.

Beyond his political accomplishments, Reddy is also known for his active family life. He is married to Geetha, niece of former union minister Jaipal Reddy. The couple has a daughter, Nymisha.

(With inputs from IANS and ANI)