Bhuma Nagi Reddy

Bhuma nagi Reddy (Telugu: భూమా నాగిరెడ్డి; 8 January 1964 – 12 March 2017) was an Indian politician. He was elected in the by-election to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1992^[1] following the sudden death of his brother Bhuma Sekhar Reddy, a sitting MLA from Allagadda constituency in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. In 1996 he entered the limelight when he was chosen as the TDP candidate to contest against the then prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in the elections to the Nandyal Lok Sabha constituency. He was a Lok Sabha member for three consecutive terms serving in the 11th, 12th and 13th Lok Sabhas. Bhuma Nagi Reddy died on 12 March 2017 after suffering a massive heart attack at his home in Allagadda, while serving as an MLA from Nandyal. ^[2]

Personal life

He was born in a remote village of Kothapalle of Dornipadu Mandal, the youngest son of Bhuma Bali Reddy and Eeswaramma. He has 3 elder brothers and one younger sister, Bhuma Sri Devi. As the family had been involved in faction politics of that area Bali Reddy wished his son to study higher education, keeping him in faraway places for studies. Accordingly, Nagi Reddy studied 10+2 in Velankanni private school affiliated to CBSE, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Later, he was sent to Bangalore to study medical education, but soon had to come back after the tragic murder of his father. This incident turned his life to become a politician in Rayalaseema region.

He was married to Bhuma Shobha Nagireddy, daughter of S.V. Subbareddy, a senior politician and ex-minister of Andhra Pradesh, who herself later became a renowned politician. She died on 24 April 2014 at 11.05 PM in a car accident on her way back from political campaign for 2014 legislative elections.^[3] They have three children - one son 2 daughters, including the present Allagada MLA Akhilapriya Reddy.^[4]

Politics

Bhuma Nagi Reddy rose very fast in politics. In 1984, he was elected as president to Rudravaram cooperative society. In 1986-90, elected as mandal president to Allagadda MPP. His brother Bhuma Sekhar Reddy a sitting MLA died of a heart attack on 7 June 1991. In the by elections to the vacant Allagadda constituency he had the first opportunity to contest as an MLA candidate from the then opposition Telugu Desam Party. But it was not a cake walk for him as his life was under threat from his faction and political opponents who... were credited to be influential at the then ruling central and state govts ...tightened his movements from canvassing. But Nagi Reddy was dare enough to face the challenges thrown by the rivals and with the strong popular support he won the elections.^[5] In 1996 he gained nationwide attention as he contested against the then prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao as a TDP candidate. Though defeated narrowly he won lakhs of fans and got a wide publicity. P.V. Narasimha Rao resigned for Nandyal seat to retain Berhampur constituency leading to the by-elections. Bhuma was the undisputed candidate again from TDP and won with a record majority of over 4 lakhs on Mr. Rangaiah Naidu to enter for the first time in the 11th Lok Sabha. The Nation went for polls in 1998 again and TDP runs Bhuma in to foray, this time against his traditional rival Gangula Prathapa Reddy. In the beginning it was thought that the election is a cake walk for Bhuma but the things made differently. He could win with a slight majority of 4,550.^[6] This result made Bhuma to reconstruct his political strategies and strengthen his energies. Henceforth worked hard and maintained good relationship with cadre. He never neglected the interests and needs of cadre. Probably that is the reason, In 1999 midterm polls he proved his stamina by winning the seat with 72,600 votes of majority on the same rival candidate.^[7] He became a 'stalwart' in rayalaseema by these 'hat-trick' wins. However, he had a major setback in politics as he was defeated by Gangula Prathap Reddy from Allagadda assembly constituency in 2004 elections. His wife Shobharani being elected as MLA two times from Allagadda constituency had to contest against her wish as an MP candidate from Nandyal and lost to congress candidate SPY Reddy. In the wake of the emergence of much publicised Praja Rajyam party by Cine hero Chiranjeevi they resigned from the TDP on 4 July 2008 and joined the newly created Praja Rajyam Party led by Chiranjeevi on 20 August 2008.^[8][9] In 2009 general elections.. he contested from Nandyal parliamentary constituency on PRP ticket...but was defeated. At the same time Shobha Nagi reddy got elected from Allagadda assembly constituency. Later In 2010.. after the tragic death of the chief minister Dr Y.S. Raja sekhara Reddy a sort of political turmoil emerged in Andhra Pradesh. After many developments... it was thought that Y.S.R's son, the then Kadapa M.P. Mr. Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy had been isolated and carnered by the seniors of congress party. He was expelled from the party as his famous "Odaarpu Yathra" was against the wishes of the party leadership. Hence he started a new political party in the name of "YSR Congress Party". Mean while Chiranjeevi decided to merge his PRP with congress; a development that was strongly opposed by Bhuma Nagireddy. The Bhuma couple had to join hands with Y S Jagan and later became key figures in the formation of that Party. He is now the central governing member of YSR congress party.^[10] while Shobha Nagireddy is official spokesperson and key state leader of the party until her tragic death just before the 2014 general elections. Bhuma was very clear about his targets that was promised to the people of his constituency and that's the reason that he joined TDP on 22-02-2016 along with his daughter Bhuma Akhila Priya Current M.L.A of Allagadda. There were roumors in political circles and state media that he was also promised a ministry in Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet for shifting from YSRCP to the ruling TDP.

Bhuma Nagi Reddy has become popular in Rayalaseema and in the state because of his special characteristics. Bhuma is such an ardent hard worker that if he insists on any subject matter of public, he never quits without the work getting completed or sanctioned by the government.The 'Auto Nagar' development is one such an example. There has been a longstanding demand for the construction of new railway line from Yerraguntla to Nandyal. This had been always a pending project until Bhuma takes the initiation.^[11] When the time ripened Bhuma couple came out of the party criticising the leadership. He held the open meeting with his core cadre of Allagadda and discussed in depth for the future of his political movements. He along with his wife Shobha Nagi reddy joined Chiranjeevi's "Praja Rajyam Party". She contested from Allagada assembly constituency and Bhuma from Nandyal Parliamentary Constituency in 2009 general elections. Though he lost the election his influence secured 2 assembly seats, Allagadda and Banaganipalle to PRP.^[12]

Rayala Telangana

Bhuma was the first leader to propound the theory of 'Rayala Telangana' in January 2007 as a solution to state division. He said if the partition is must, Rayala seema should be with Telangana Only and not with Andhra. He argues that Rayalaseema people are culturally and emotionally similar to Telangana than Andhra. He would rather stay with unified Rayala Telangana than that of Seemandhra. He says The Rayalaseema people were cheated by the coastal Andhra leaders previously. He cites the example of the historical 'Sribagh pact' of 16 November 1937 between the gentlemen of the two reasons. The pact was sustained to a 'torn paper' only as coastal leaders never withstood to its provisions. Unlike Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema has its own history of draughts and backwardness. There is a similarity to the region of Telangana as both the areas were once ruled by the Nizams. As far as backwardness is concerned, Telangana and Rayalaseema are running parallel as most of the natural resources are being utilised by the coastal region. When 90% of cultivable land is being drained with river water resources in Coastal Andhra... only 45% is being irrigated in the rest of the areas.^[13] Supporting to his theory of Rayala Telangana he also recalls that...prior to the name of Rayalaseema the four districts of Bellary (now in Karnataka), Ananthapur, Cuddapah, and Kurnool were being called as 'Ceded districts' as they were ceded to the English Army by the Nizam (in a gratitudic action as the British helped him in the war against Kingdom of Mysore). When Bhuma announced this "Rayala Telangana theory" he was in TDP and there was an uproar in his Party. Immediate response came from the party president N.Chandrababu naidu stating that no leader of TDP should be allowed to make his own statement in this issue. Now that Bhuma and his wife Shobha Nagireddy are not in TDP they once again came forward to putforth the theory they most believed of. On the eve of New Years Day they announced with this effect as Rayala Telangana may the correct solution if the state is divided.^[14][15]

Posts held

• He served as a member, in the committee of finance and committee on external affairs during 1996-97
• 1.member, committee on transport and tourism 2. member, committee on provision of computers to members of parliament and 3 member consultative committee for ministry of chemicals and fertilizers during 1998-99
• member, committee on Energy during 1999-2000
• member, consultative committee, for Ministry of Urban Development during 2000-2004^[16]
• member, consultative in
• Chairman, Public Accounts, Andhra Pradesh from 2014.

Faction history

Apart from being a political personality, Bhuma Nagi Reddy is acclaimed as a notorious factionalist by his opponents. Some argue that it is he, who brought glamour to the factionalism. Many cinemas and TV serials are made in Telugu and Tamil based on the incidents occurred in his own life. Many times he announced about how the circumstances dragged him in to faction. In those days of 90's in the region of rayalaseema, hundreds of villages were infested with factions, where the political leaders must involve to safeguard their cadre and Bhuma was no exception to this. Bhuma is credited to be 'the man of cadre' in Rayalaseema.

Peace march

AV. Subba Reddy and Katamreddy Srikantha Reddy are close allies, chief followers and ardent supporters of Bhuma from Allagadda constituency. He had strong supporters and followers in neighbouring constituencies as well. Bhuma's famous "peace March" to the several faction-infested villages of Koilkuntla was attracted very much enthusiasm throughout the state. It claimed to be the best of its kind in rayalaseema as no one ever attempted this sort of march previously. It gave him a real life hero image among the common public where as his political opponents criticised as 'tiger in disguise' action of Bhuma. He utilised this opportunity to see the villages with indepth study of the under development of the villages. He announced funds of MP lads on the spot and gained the hearts of villagers. Freelance journalist Prabhakara Reddy and senior journalist Janardhan Reddy gave special coverage on the peace march and its influence aftermath. Though the opponents criticised these march for the political gains, he proved it wrong by announcing huge funds at a smaller village of Kasipuram. He compromised the faction opponents of several villages proving his seriousness to the subject . However, rivals of his party carried the wrong perceptions enough to influence the party high command not to give official support to this peace march.

Death

Bhuma Nagi Reddy died of a massive heart attack at his home on Sunday, March 12, 2017. He was 53 at the time of his death. He is survived by his three children, including Allagada MLA Akhilapriya. He suffered from various ailments, and was in deep depression after the death of his wife.

References