K R Suresh Reddy

Kethi Reddy Suresh Reddy(K.R.Suresh Reddy) is an Indian politician from the state of Andhra Pradesh.^[1]

He has served as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.^[2]

Political career

In a political career spanning nearly two decades, the four-time Congress MLA from the Balkonda Assembly constituency, K.R.Suresh Reddy, assumed charge as one of the youngest Speaker of AP's 12th Assembly. Since the time he began his political career as a mandal-level leader in 1984, he has come a long way. Mr. Suresh Reddy, won his fourth straight election from agriculture rich Balkonda constituency, and had a pleasant surprise when his name cropped as the probable for the prestigious Speaker's post. The very fact that Mr. Suresh Reddy had the backing of the entire 12th Assembly speaks volumes about his capabilities.

By assuming charge as Speaker, Mr. Suresh Reddy become the first leader from Nizamabad district to have occupied the coveted post. His elevation as the Speaker at a very young age has been welcomed by all political parties. Forty-five-year-old Suresh Reddy, began his political career as the mandal Youth Congress president in 1984. He got his major break in 1989 when the former Chief Minister, M. Channa Reddy, nominated him as the candidate from Balkonda constituency. He went on to win the 1994, 1999 and 2004 elections with convincing margin equaling the record of former Finance Minister, Argul Rajaram, who had represented the Balkonda constituency for four terms. During his stint as an MLA, he was the Library Committee Chairman of the Assembly from 1990 to 1993. In 1997, he assumed the charge of Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and served as the Congress party whip from 2000-2003.

Soft-spoken, well educated and known for his oratory skills, Mr. Suresh Reddy, created a niche for himself in the political circles. A non-controversial leader, he has been in the forefront of any debate in the Assembly and his presentation often won accolades from even the opposition party leaders and above all from his Excellency the President of India APJ Abdul Kalam.

On resuming his responsibility as the Speaker, Mr. Suresh Reddy expressed, "Till a few minutes ago, I belonged to a particular political party. But now I belong to the entire House. Irrespective of political affiliations each and every member is dear and near to me. Rules and conventions will be followed judiciously in a non-partisan manner. Maintenance of decorum and dignity shall be my priority" he said to thump of desks by members.

Positions held in political career

• Speaker-Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.2004-09.
• Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee.
• Member, Standing Committee Of The All India Presiding Officers.regional Representative Of India Region,
• Member, Indian Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee.
• President, A.p. Branch Of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
• Speaker, A.p. Legislative Assembly From 01.06.2004.
• 2004 Onwards Member, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
• Director, A.p. Industrial Development Corporation.
• Whip, Congress Legislature Party.
• Member, Committee On Estimates.
• 1999-2003 Member, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
• Chairman, Committee On Public Accounts.

Change of constituency proves disastrous

The change of constituency from Balkonda to Armoor had cost the Assembly Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy dearly. “Had he continued there in his old constituency he would have easily made it to the Assembly for the fifth consecutive term”, opine political observers.

Mr. Suresh Reddy did not taste defeat since the inception of his political career in 1989 when he made his debut in the electoral politics by winning from Balkonda constituency. Since then he could retain the seat continuously even amid the Telugu Desam wave.

He was one among the only two Congress leaders who had won the Assembly elections in 1994 from the entire Telangana region. The second one was Mr. D. Redya Naik of Dornakal. Incidentally, this time these two stalwarts had to bite the dust though their party put up a dazzling performance both in the Parliament and the Assembly elections. At one stage there were rumours that Mr. Suresh Reddy would be fielded as the Congress candidate for the Lok Sabha.

He, however, was reluctant to contest to the Parliament with the hope that he could get a Cabinet berth if the Congress is voted to power for the second time in the State. His hopes were dashed, but the Dr. Rajasekhar Reddy led Congress party romped home.

Before the polling Mr. Suresh Reddy himself said he had chosen Armoor constituency after being prepared to take “a calculated risk”. “After the delimitation of constituencies half of my old constituency is under Armoor where I have an advantage over my opponent”, he said.

Praja Rajyam seems to have put a spoke in his wheel as its candidate a noted surgeon B. Madhu Sekhar polled more than 21,000 votes. Observers say that Dr. Sekhar caused more dent to the Congress vote bank than to the TDP votes. The Speaker who secured 35,852 votes was defeated by his close relative and former MLA A. Annapoornamma (TDP) by a difference of 13,075.

Besides, it is said the resentment on the second rung leadership of the party and group politics between former MLAs S. Santhose Reddy and Bajireddy Govardhan worked against the Speaker.

• A four time MLA consicutively from 1989-2009 from Balkonda constituency. He was the undisputed leader in this constituency for twenty long years even in the times of TDP leader N.T.Rama Rao and former chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu. But unfortuately in the year 2009, due to delimitation Balkonda constituency was reorganized and also up on the request of former chief minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy he shifted his base to Armoor Constituency. It proved costly and due to other factors like TDP-TRS alliance and Megastar Chiranjeevi's PRP party entry in 2009, he lost the election just with minor votes of ten thousand. This proved costly and major roadblock to him. At a times when he is eligible to chair some important positions in the present congress period, the defeat proved costly to him.

• Had KR Suresh Reddy won the election in 2009, he would have been the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh today.

Armoor/Armur Constituency

At present he is in charge of the Armoor Assembly constituency in Nizamabad District.

References