Gaddar\'s Daughter Seeks Clarity on Congress Ticket from Secunderabad Cantonment

HYDERABAD: Vennela, daughter of revolutionary balladeer the late Gaddar, urged the Congress leadership to nominate her from the Secunderabad Cantonment constituency for the Assembly elections. She said that Gaddar, who died in August, had wanted to contest from the constituency.

Vennela along with her mother Vimala Rao told the media at Press Club here on Saturday that she was ready to contest the elections in his place. Vennela clarified that there were no differences in the family on this issue and that her brother had extended her complete support.

Vennela said that Gaddar had backed the Congress in his last days and had taken part in the "People's March" padayatra of CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka during March-July this year.

Vennela said that Congress leaders initially promised her ticket but have now become silent. She requested the party leadership to give clarity on this issue.
She said, she would remain with the Congress and work for its victory even if denied a ticket. She said she had no plans to join other party or contest as an independent or rebel.

Congress top leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi had met the family members of Gaddar in Hyderabad on the sidelines of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting here in September. They recalled Gaddar’s struggle for people’s rights.

After Gaddar's demise in August, Sonia Gandhi had sent a letter to his wife, expressing her heartfelt condolences. She wrote that Gaddar played a pivotal role in using art and culture as a means of expression to bring attention to the struggles of the marginalised and oppressed in the society.