Indian politician Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, widely recognised for his former role as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), is currently drawing substantial attention due to his decision to leave the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Rao’s political influence is significant, particularly in North Andhra, where he has a strong following in the Anakapalli district. His political career with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spanned 14 years (1985 to 1999), during which he served as an MLA for four consecutive terms.
In 2013, Rao bid farewell to the TDP and aligned himself with the YSRCP, a strategic move aimed at securing a ticket for the 2014 elections. Nevertheless, his aspirations were not realised as he was not granted the ticket. Consequently, Rao opted to resign from the YSRCP in 2015, marking the beginning of a four-year hiatus from politics.
However, Rao’s latest decision to part ways with the YSRCP has once again propelled him into the spotlight.
Rao’s political journey is one of enduring commitment and active participation. He represented the Anakapalle Assembly constituency between 1985 and 1999 and held the role of State Minister for Information and Public Relations during NTR’s tenure. Also noteworthy is his tenure as an MLC during the TDP’s reign.
In 2019, after a period of absence from the political scene, Rao made a comeback and rejoined the YSRCP. In addition to his political pursuits, Rao is a dedicated contributor to the field of education, having established the Sarada Educational Trust following his graduation from Andhra University.
Unfortunately, despite significant public interest, information relating to Rao’s age remains undisclosed. The media has yet to release any definitive facts pertaining to his date of birth, and Rao himself maintains a private stance when it comes to divulging personal details. Consequently, many aspects of his life, including his early years and family background, remain a mystery.
Rao’s recent resignation from the YSRCP on January 2, 2024, has elicited a flurry of questions about the motivations behind his decision. In a letter addressed to the party president and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Rao outlined his reasons for leaving.
Most notably, Rao expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of recognition he received within the party, highlighting the fact that he was not presented with a ticket as a possible reason for his decision. Furthermore, in a conversation with the Hindu, Rao expressed his disillusionment with the leadership style of several key party figures, including V. Vijaya Sai Reddy, Y.V. Subba Reddy and Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy. He described his experience with the YSRCP as “unpleasant”, a sentiment that likely contributed to his decision to resign.
