Bezawada Ramachandra Reddy

Bezawada Ramachandra Reddy Biography

Bezawada Ramachandra Reddy was an Indian politician and parliamentarian from south India, most active in the pre-independent era. He was a member of Justice Party, officially the South Indian Liberal Federation, best known for the ideologies of Socialism and Anti-Brahminism. He was one of the founders of the Swatantra Party also. He served as the President of the Madras Legislative Council from 1930 to 1937. He was a close relative and family member of well-known politician from Andhra Pradesh, Bezawada Gopala Reddy, who was Chief Minister of the erstwhile Andhra State in 1955-1956.

Bezawada Ramachandra Reddy was born on 24 November 1894 in Buchireddipalem in the Madras Presidency. Sri Subba Reddy & Kamala were his parents. He married twice. His first wife died soon after giving birth to their first child, and later Reddy married her half-sister. The couple had five sons and five daughters. He got into active politics soon after completing his graduation from Madras University in 1919, when he got elected as President of the District Educational Council, Nellore.

In 1923 he won Legislative Council elections as a member of Justice Party, and since then he continued his success streak in 1926, 1930 and 1934 elections too. He served as the President of the Madras Legislative Council for long 7 years since 1930, and resigned as Speaker in 1937 following defeat. When Justice Party was converted into the Dravidar Kazhagam, he disagreed with this move and after a series of events he finally quit the party in 1952. He contested Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate from Nellore in 1952, and got elected as MP. He completed a term of 5 years. He was known for advocating new business firms for the benefit of people and development of nation.

Published: November 29, 2018

Updated: November 29, 2018