Hyderabad: Just as no qualifications are required for becoming a politician, there is no retirement age for them either. Several politicians who have crossed 70 years of age are trying their luck in the December 7 elections from the state. As many as 50 candidates are above the age of 60, generally considered the retirement age.
Dr Pagidipati Devaiah of the Telangana Jana Samiti, contesting from Wardhannapet, is the senior-most candidate at 76 years of age. Five decades separate him and the youngest candidates — BJP’s actor-turned-politician Reshma Bai Bukya and Bahujana Mukti Party’s Lakavath Nageswara Rao, both of whom are 26 and both contesting from Wyra.
Among the 70s brigade are Ponnala Lakshmaiah, 74, Dr J. Geetha Reddy, 73, K. Jana Reddy, 72, and Vanama Venkateswara Rao, 73, from the Congress. From the TRS there is T. Krishna Reddy, 72, from the BJP, Baddam Balreddy, 73, and from the CPI Gunda Mallesh, 72, and from the TJS, Abraham, 72,.
Caretaker Chief Minister and TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao is 64-years-old. Senior politicians from various parties who are above 60 years of age and are contesting are: A. Indra Karan Reddy, Redya Nayak, Tummala Nageswara Rao, Manik Rao, Mohammed Ali Shabbier, R. Damodar Reddy, T. Jeevan Reddy, Malla Reddy, Mallu Ravi, P. Sudershan Reddy, Gummadi Narsaiah, R. Prakash Reddy, Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Nomula Narasimhaiah, Dasari Manohar Reddy, Diwakar Rao, G. Chinna Reddy, M. Babu Rao, Madan Reddy, Bhaskar Rao, A. Chandu Lal, Nagam Janardhan Reddy, Koneru Konappa, Sarve Satyanarayana, S. Gangaram, Jupalli Krishna Rao, K. Dayakar Reddy, Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy, M. Narasimhulu and Madhusudhana Chary.
Political parties defend the seniority of their contestants on the grounds that they are still active in politics and the people of their constituencies still want their leadership. Some have developed such a strong hold on the constituency that no party will dare to replace them.
Indeed, senior politicians who are contesting have succeeded in turning their constituencies into their bastions with their constant victories and are always sure of getting the ticket.
Dr J. Geetha Reddy has been representing Gajwel and Zaheerabad in the assembly since 1989. K. Jana Reddy has been contesting since 1983 from Chalkurthy and Nagarjuna Sagar constituencies and has won in the elections of 1983, 1989, 2004, 2009, 2014; he was defeated in 1994.
T. Jeevan Reddy was elected in 1983 on the TD ticket from Jagital and joined the Congress later had won in 1989, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2014.
