Recording the history of Nellore

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Bezawada Ramachandra Reddy, Buchireddipalem, Nellore

Bezawada_ramachandra_reddy_nellore

An illustrious politician, agriculturist and a supporter of liberalization, Sri Bezawada Ramachandra Reddy was born on November 24, 1894 to Sri Subba Reddy & Kamala (Dodla) in Buchireddipalem in the Madras Presidency. Ramachandra Reddy is a relative of Indian National Congress politician Dr Bezawada Gopala Reddy.

Bezawada_ramachandra_reddy_nellore

He entered politics immediately after graduating from the Pacchayappa College, Madras University in 1919. He started his political career as the head of Vavveru village. Later, he served as the sarpanch of Buchireddypalem village in 1921. He served as the President of the Nellore District Educational Council and was then elected as the President of the district board in 1929.

He married Dodla Sita, who gave birth to a male child Subba Reddy, named after his father. When his first wife Sita died post delivery, he married her half sister Dodla Bujjamma, who gave him 10 children – 5 sons & 5 daughters.

Reddy joined the Justice Party and won the elections in 1923, 1926, 1930 and 1934. Reddy served as the President of the Madras Legislative Council from November 6, 1930 to March 1937. Reddy resigned as Speaker following his defeat in the 1937 elections. Reddy dissented with Periyar when the Justice Party was converted into the Dravidar Kazhagam. He was first elected President of the Justice Party soon after the split in 1944. Reddy finally quit the party in 1952.

In 1952, Reddy contested the First Lok Sabha elections as an independent from Nellore and served as a Member of the Lok Sabha from 1952 to 1957. He served as the deputy leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha. On June 4, 1959, along with C. Rajagopalachari & N G Ranga and other senior politicians, Reddy floated the Swatantra Party with liberal ideas.

A staunch believer in business enterprise, he served on the boards of many companies like Madras Cements and Andhra Scientific Company, Machilipatnam as an independent director. But, he never seems to have invested directly in any industry, as he always believed in being an agriculturist.

He played a key role in getting the approval for Somasila irrigation dam, leveraging his acquaintance with KL Rao, the renowned irrigation engineer and politician.

Mr Ramachandra Reddy was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). At the age of 78, he breathed his last on March 19, 1973 in Buchireddypalem, his birthplace.

Primary Source: Wikipedia

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