Third generation leaders enter politics

Anantapur district in Rayalaseema is witnessing young generation of leaders entering politics. The 2014 elections have seen the third generation from JC family joining politics. J C Diwakar Reddy’s father J C Nagi Reddy was a senior Congress leader and close associate of former President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy. Nagi Reddy had served as MP, MLC and Zilla Parishad chairman. He formed a strong cadre for the JC family in Tadipatri constituency. Following his footsteps, his son J C Diwakar Reddy entered the political field and with the support of his younger brother Prabhakar Reddy, he had established a strong hold in Anantapur politics.

Following the State bifurcation and with no proper recognition in the Congress party, the JC brothers shifted their loyalty from the Congress to the TDP. J C Diwakar Reddy is contesting the ensuing polls as TDP nominee for Anantapur Lok Sabha constituency while Prabhakar Reddy is TDP candidate for Tadipatri Assembly seat. Now Pawan Kumar Reddy and Asmit Reddy, third generation of leaders from the JC family, are evincing keen interest in politics.

And from Paritala family, the third generation leader Paritala Sriram chose public life. Sriram’s grandfather Sriramulaiah and father Ravindra had been two strong leaders in the district. Paritala Ravindra was instrumental in strengthening TDP in Anantapur district. The period between 1990 and 2005 witnessed political rivalry in the district between Paritala and JC families. The TDP has weakened following the assassination of Paritala Ravindra in 2005. Associates of Paritala alleged that J C Diwakar Reddy was behind Ravindra’s murder. However, no court has proved the role of Diwakar Reddy in the murder. With Ravindra’s death, the TDP has lost a strong leader in the district.

Subsequently, the TDP has seen emerging of two groups in the district. One group led by Paritala Sunitha and the other by Payyavula Keshav. Following the struggle for supremacy by the two groups, the TDP has weakened in the district. Now the TDP is keenly looking for contribution from younger generation of leaders.

Ravindra’ son Sriram is actively into politics. He has formed a Yuva Sena and is conducting blood donation programmes. He is making efforts to revive the lost glory to TDP in the district. Incidentally, members of two families (Paritala and JC families) who have been rivals for about two decades, are now supposed to work for the same party.