From saluting lawmakers and then to become one to be saluted back - this is the journey of former Andhra Pradesh Circle Inspector Gorantla Madhav, who is now the MP-elect from Hindupur in Anantapur district. And now, a photo of Madhav and his former boss, CID Deputy Superintendent of Police Mahboob Basha, sharing a warm smile and exchanging salutes in the presence of other police personnel, has gone viral on social media.
Madhav, the former Circle Inspector from Kadiri, won the Member of Parliament seat from Hindupur on a YSRCP ticket by a huge majority of 1,40,748 votes against sitting Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Kristappa Nimmala.
The photo was taken at a polling centre, where the counting was underway. Speaking to media persons about the viral photo, Madhav clarified that he saluted his former boss first. “I saluted the DySP first. I adore him. It was mutual respect between us,” said Madhav.
The political venture
Last year in December, Madhav sought voluntary retirement from service to contest in the elections. He was offered a seat by the YSRCP in January. However, things didn’t go as smooth as he expected, as his nomination was initially rejected by the Election Commission as his retirement was not accepted by the police then.
At the last moment, the State Administrative Tribunal intervened and ordered the Inspector General of Police to accept his voluntary retirement and relieve him from duty.
Madhav made headlines after having an ugly face-off with TDP leader and former MP from Anantapur, JC Diwakar Reddy, over an incident of violence in Chinnapolamada village in Tadipatri, where locals and residents of an ashram run by religious seer Swamy Prabodhananda clashed with each other in 2018.
Diwakar Reddy, known for his controversial remarks, called the police ‘hijras’ and used other derogatory terms to describe the force. Diwakar Reddy claimed that the police personnel fled from the spot of the incident when the violence broke out.
Taking a strong objection to the unsavoury remarks, Madhav, who was also the office bearer of the District Police Officer’s Association, twirled his moustache and warned that the police would not remain quiet if the ruling party MLAs or MPs make such tasteless comments. He even threatened to cut off the tongues of those who disrespect the police force by making such statements.
Responding to this, Diwakar Reddy had said, “Madhav, I dare you to come without your police uniform. I, too, will come after removing my Khadi shirt. Be it your house in Kadiri or at the Clock Tower in Anantapur. Would you come or should I come? I am ready for whatever.”
It was after this, that Madhav decided to quit the police force and throw his hat in the political ring.