NRIs to try luck in politics

A small but steadily growing tribe of US and UK returned men and women are eyeing political careers in both local and general polls in Warangal, a trend first popularised by Ponnala Lak-shmaiah in the late 1970s.

An MS degree holder in mechanical engineering from the Oklahoma State University followed by one decade of work experience, TPCC chief Mr Lakshmaiah’s foreign tag then caught the imagination of the people in his Jangaon constituency.

Two new faces are now following suit in Warangal hoping to leave behind their footprints in politics. Meet city resident Ramesh Chilla, 45, a US returned software engineer and Silveru Joshna Rani, a resident of Atmakur mandal who has an MS degree in biotechnology plus work experience and has returned from the UK.

While Mr Chilla with one decade of experience in software in Bloomington, in the US, is eyeing Warangal East Assembly constituency on a TD ticket, Ms Joshna Rani is eyeing the ZP as an independent against all odds.

Interestingly, both hail from reserved communities (Mr Chilla is from Mudiraj community, while Ms Joshna Rani is a Dalit) but are not afraid to contest from unreserved seats of Warangal East Assembly and Atmakur ZPTC respectively.

“Since my college days, I was very much interested in doing service to people, especially the young and the underprivileged. My father Mr Siliveru Bhaskar inspired me to take a plunge in politics,” said Ms Joshna Rani, who returned to her native place after quitting her UK-based company one and half year ago.

One the other hand, Mr Chilla was inspired from his active participation in statehood movement as the Working Committee chairman of Telangana Development Forum (US), a non-profit organisation, focussing on issues and problems faced by Telangana people. Mr Chilla has also met TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu last week seeking Warangal East ticket.

He quit his last job six months back.