Cong star campaigner Revanth shines in Kodangal

No other political leader in Telangana has a fan following like state Congress Committee working president Anumula Revanth Reddy. He is a political star and a leader to reckon in Telangana politics.

The firebrand leader is contesting from Kodangal, the constituency he has been representing since 2009, against Patnam Narender Reddy of TRS, Nagurao Namaji of BJP and Venkateswarlu of Bahujana Left Front.

Considered as a mass leader, he has a degree in arts and is married to former Union minister and senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy’s niece Geeta.

Political entry

A former Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist, Revanth was elected Member of Legislative Council (MLC) as an independent candidate in 2008. He later met TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

In 2009, he was elected to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly from Kodangal with 46.45% votes. During his first term of office, he commenced the construction of Kosigi bus depot and a polytechnic college.

After the formation of Telangana, he won the 2014 elections from Kodangal by defeating TRS candidate Gurnath Reddy. He was the floor leader for the TDP in the Telangana Legislative Assembly.

Cash-for-vote case

On May 31, 2015, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Revanth for trying to bribe TRS nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote for TDP MLC candidate. On June 30, 2017, the Telangana High Court gave him a conditional bail.

However, the TDP sacked Revanth on October 25, 2017, following the reports of his proximity to the Congress. He joined the Congress on October 31, 2017, and was appointed as one of the three working presidents of the TPCC.

Known for his staunch opposition to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Revanth has become the cynosure of the Opposition in Telangana.

Supporters want him as CM

“The Grand Alliance will win. Revanth will become the next Telangana chief minister. He has developed the constituency on his own. Whatever development that you see is because of him,” Madduru Narsimhulu said.

Many young men in the constituency want Revanth to become the Telangana chief minister. “If you visit his house, there will be food served all day for the visitors. He will see that those who are sick and hurt in road accidents are taken to a hospital. He will put his hand on your shoulder and guide you when you are in trouble,” Gopal Isla of Gouraram said.

In an effort to utilise Revanth’s charisma to the fullest, the TPCC has got Election Commission's permission to use a chopper for the campaign. His campaign started on Sunday from Asifabad. He will be participating in 28 whirlwind public meetings till December 2 in L B Nagar.