BJP Likely to Field Ex-MLA Annapurna from Balkonda

Nizamabad: To ensure women's representation in the Legislative Assembly, the BJP is planning to field senior politician and former MLA A. Annapurna from the Balkonda Assembly constituency, instead of her son Dr A. Mallikarjun Reddy.

Annapurna, who is believed to be a formidable opponent to the rivals in the elections, which will see a triangular contest in the constituency, entered politics post her husband Aleti Mahipal Reddy’s death in 1991. Mahipal Reddy served as a Cabinet minister in N.T. Rama Rao’s government. Annapurna won as MLA from Armoor in the 1994 and 2009 Assembly elections and was defeated in the 1999 and 2004 elections in the united Andhra Pradesh. Annapurna served as TD state vice-president and their family was associated with TD for four decades before she joined BJP in 2019. Her son Dr Aleti Mahipal Reddy has been actively working in the Balkonda constituency for the last six years.

Against the backdrop of the Women's Reservation Bill introduced by the Central government, BJP planned to field women candidates, wherever they are available in Telangana. Nizamabad MP Arvind Dharmapuri is also backing Annapurna’s candidature to revive the past glory of politics in the district.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a BJP key leader said, “We will fulfil the promise of women representation in the Assembly and also revive the past glory of clean politics with senior leaders like Annapurna”, he said. BJP is keen to field at least two women candidates in Nizamabad Parliamentary constituency limits, which covers 7 Assembly constituencies, he added.