Ex-MLA Anam Viveka passes away

Hyderabad: Senior leader and former MLA from Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh Anam Vivekananda Reddy passed away while undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness at a corporate hospital here on Wednesday. He was 67.

Reddy started his political career as Nellore Municipal Chairman. He got elected as MLA for three times in 1999, 2004 and 2009. Post bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the senior leader along with his younger brother and former minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy switched loyalties to AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. However, the two leaders were not active in the ruling TDP in the recent months.

Vivekananda Reddy’s body has been shifted to Nellore and the last rites will be performed on Thursday. Vivekananda Reddy belonged to the influential Anam family. His father Anam Venkata Reddy, uncle Anam Chenchu Subba Reddy and brother Anam Ramanarayana Reddy were also active in politics.

Reddy’s brother Anam Ramanarayana Reddy served as a Minister in the Cabinets of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, K Rosaiah and Kiran Kumar Reddy in united Andhra Pradesh.

Vivekananda leader did his schooling in Nellore town and pursued BA from the famous VR College. He was known for sporting dark shades and a carefree attitude. He attracted national attention when he inaugurated a Crafts Bazaar in a woman’s attire wearing sari, bangles and lipstick.