Anumula Revanth Reddy, born on November 8, 1967, is Indian politician who currently serves as the second Chief Minister of Telangana. Having taken office on December 7, 2023, this event marked a turning point in the political history of the state under the INC.

Early Life and Education

Revanth hails from Kondareddy Palli village in the Nagarkurnool district in Telangana (earlier in Mahbubnagar). He pursued a Bachelor of Arts from Andhra Vidyalaya College, affiliated with Osmania University in Hyderabad. Politically inclined from his youth, he was associated with ABVP during his student years.

Family and Personal Background

Revanth Reddy is married to Geetha, niece of former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy. The couple has a daughter. While Revanth is known for his political grit, he maintains a relatively low profile regarding his personal life.

Political Entry and Rise

Revanth began his political career as an independent candidate in the 2006 local body elections, winning a ZPTC seat from Midjil mandal. The following year, he became a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC). Shortly after, he joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), influenced by a meeting with N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Legislative Career and Party Shift

In 2009, he won his first MLA seat from Kodangal under the TDP banner, defeating five-time INC MLA Gurunath Reddy. He retained the seat in 2014, emerging as a prominent opposition voice in the newly formed Telangana Assembly.

However, friction within the TDP began in 2017, as rumors of Revanth leaning toward the Congress surfaced. In October 2017, he officially joined the Indian National Congress and soon became a working president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC).

From MP to TPCC President

Despite losing the 2018 Assembly election in Kodangal to the BRS, Revanth bounced back in 2019 by winning the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat, defeating TRS’s Marri Rajashekar Reddy.

In July 2021, he was appointed President of the TPCC. Leading a powerful campaign, he guided the Congress to victory in the 2023 Telangana elections, defeating the incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Revanth won from Kodangal but lost from Kamareddy.

Chief Minister of Telangana

After being unanimously chosen as the Congress Legislature Party leader, Revanth was sworn in as Telangana’s Chief Minister on December 7, 2023. His win in Kodangal marked his third term from the constituency.

Controversies

In 2015, Revanth Reddy was embroiled in a cash-for-votes scandal, allegedly attempting to bribe MLA Elvis Stephenson during a council election. He was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and later granted conditional bail by the Telangana High Court. TDP leaders along with the crowd celebrated the event.

Conclusion

The journey of Revanth Reddy from grassroots politics to Chief Minister of Telangana stands for resilience and overcoming all odds during political turbulence. Becoming a controversial figure, his leadership has revamped the Congress party in Telangana and established him as one of the most important people in the state's ever-changing political landscape.