Politics is in my blood and I am not a political novice since I have grown up in a family that has been in politics for a long time. My father, the late G Ranga Raju, was the chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and also was an MLA, says Gokaraju Ganga Raju, a septuagenarian, who is popular as the secretary of the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA).
Ganga Raju has been a successful industrialist and is the chairman of Laila Group of Companies. Though he had been involved in the activities of RSS and VHP for long, he has plunged into active politics recently after joining the BJP. Surprisingly, the BJP has announced him as the party nominee for the Narsapur Lok Sabha constituency instead of former Union minister Krishnam Raju. Ganga Raju, who is a also an educationalist, in an interview with Express, says he would turn the rice bowl of AP into an IT hub.
Excerpts from the interview.
What made you plunge into electoral politics at this age? Since you are preoccupied with company activities and in the administration of the Andhra Cricket Association, how will you serve the people, if elected?
I did not make any attempt to gain entry into politics. I was chosen by the BJP since I have been involved in the service of the needy. My father was the TTD chairman and an MLA. My native, Juvvapalem, also falls in the constituency (Narspapur Lok Sabha). Hence, I thought it would be the right chance to serve my people. With regard to company activities, my sons will look after them allowing me to completely devote my time to serve the people.
You have been associated with the RSS and VHP for a long time. Was there any role of RSS in your selection as the MP candidate?
The RSS did not play any role in the exercise. The BJP picked me up as it was impressed by my service. I am a secular person and one should know that I have also been associated with the Christian missionary institution, Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada.
Rumour says that you want to become an MP as you are aspiring for an imporatant post in the BCCI. Are there any such plans?
There is no truth in it. I believe there is no link between politics and cricket associations. I have never allowed politics to play a role in the ACA. If the BCCI wants me to serve them, I am ready but there is no connection with that and me becoming an MP.
You are pitted against your close relative and sitting MP Kanumuri Bapi Raju. How do you see this?
In politics, relations are not important. I see him as the candidate of my rival party, the Congress. That is all.
How are people responding during your campaign?
The response is good as every one is talking about Modi. The people want to see him as the PM and Chandrababu as the CM. Modi wave is so strong. The BJP has won the seat before and as I have a clean image and have been a successful industrialist, I will win this time.
Congress leader Chiranjeevi and his brother Pawan Kalyan are from this place. Who is the one that will influence the polls here?
Pawan Kalyan. He has a good following among the youth. Chiranjeevi does not have a fan following at this juncture.
What is your vision for the development of the constituency?
My main focus will be on providing drinking water to villages. Scores of villages lack potable drinking water. My other priority is to transform the place into an IT hub. There is scope for development of the IT industry due to division.
Who do you consider as your main opponent?
YSR Congress candidate Vanka Ravindranath will my main opponent.