From corporator to Member of Parliament. Looks very difficult but Gudivada Gurunath Rao’s son Amarnath, a B Tech graduate, wants to do just that.
Amarnath believes he could take the giant leap as the YSRC nominee for Anakapalle Lok Sabha seat. He had been nursing the ambition since childhood and now is trying his luck. In an interview with Express, Amarnath explains how he would realise his childhood dream.
Excerpts from the interview.
Why are you against PCPIR at a time when plans are being finalised to convert Itchapuram-Chennai belt into an industrial corridor?
I am against any project that would rob the livelihood of people. I will not allow even a single acre of land to be acquired for any project without the people’s consent. As a person who is in public life, my priority is to protect the interests of the people, honour their sentiments and work till they are satisfied.
How does your party chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy look at the idea of industrialisation as such? What will you do if he differs with your opinion?
Jagan Mohan Reddy has already made his policy clear. He is against anything that will hamper the interests of the people. He recently said in Srikakulam that he would not allow the setting up of a thermal plant there unless the people themselves say the want it. I do not see any reason as to why he should change his stand.
How will you be different from other politicians?
I wish to continue in politics full time. I have a time-bound development programme not just for my constituency but for the entire North Andhra. I will seek the cooperation of other MPs of the region, irrespective of their political affiliations. For instance, the Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi project cannot be completed by just one. It has to be a coordinated effort. The project is the need of the hour as the region lacks irrigation facilities and it will ensure drinking and irrigation water to three districts — Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.
What do you know about Uttarandhra Sujala Sravanthi?
The project aims to provide irrigation water to 7.5 lakh acres in three districts. Of the total area, 2.5 lakh acres fall under Anakapalle Lok Sabha constituency. The project is designed to provide 80 tmc of water to the constituency of which 53 tmc will be used for irrigation and the remaining for industrial needs.
Another problem that the constituency faces is that water from Raiwada, which is an exclusive source of irrigation water, is diverted to Visakhapatnam for drinking water purpose. I understand the need of drinking water in the city but if water from the Godavari river is brought to the region, Raiwada water can be exclusively used for irrigation purpose. I will also give priority to harness water of rivers like Sarada, Varaha and Tandava.
It is surprising that a newcomer in politics could get a YSRC ticket for Anakapalle Lok Sabha seat. How did you manage to get it?
I approached Jagan Mohan Reddy as I wanted to be an MP. My father’s image helped me immensely but till i got the B form I was a little nervous. Finally, I got the ticket. My friends had told me that I would need to spend crores of rupees for the ticket but I realised that it was completely wrong. Jagan just asked me to work carefully and ensure victory in the polls.
Why did you choose Anakapalle LS to contest?
I chose this constituency because my late father Gurunath Rao represented it in the Lower House. Right from my schooling days, I wanted to be an MP. When my father was an MP, I visited Parliament and watched the proceedings from the visitors’ gallery. That did not satisfy me. I want to take off from where my father left.