Senior politician Anam Vivekananda Reddy from the Telugu Desam Party passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering from a prolonged illness. He was 67 years old.
He had been admitted to a hospital in Kurnool after being unwell, following which he was shifted to the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital in Hyderabad's Begumpet. The funeral is likely to be held on Thursday.
Taking to Twitter, Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's son and state Minister Nara Lokesh said, "TDP leader Sri Anam Vivekananda Reddy has left for his heavenly abode. His warm nature, humour and leadership will be dearly missed. I extend my deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace."
“TDP leader Anam Vivekananda Reddy’s death has saddened me. I wish that his soul rests in peace. My deep condolences and sympathies to his family,” Naidu tweeted.
TDP leader Sri Anam Vivekananda Reddy has left for his heavenly abode. His warm nature, humour and leadership will be dearly missed. I extend my deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.
— Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) April 25, 2018
మాజీ ఎమ్మెల్యే, టీడీపీ నేత ఆనం వివేకానందరెడ్డి మృతి తీవ్ర దిగ్భ్రాంతిని కలిగించింది. ఆయన ఆత్మకు శాంతి చేకూరాలని కోరుకుంటూ.. వారి కుటుంబసభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తున్నా.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) April 25, 2018
Vivekananda Reddy belonged to the influential Anam family from Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district.
The family has had many politicians, including Vivekanda's father Anam Venkata Reddy and his uncle, Anam Chenchu Subba Reddy.
Members of the family have held several posts in politics — from that of municipal corporators to cabinet ministers in the state.
Vivekananda's brother Anam Ramanarayana Reddy served as a Minister in the cabinets of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, K Rosaiah and Kiran Kumar Reddy in united Andhra Pradesh.
The two brothers joined the TDP from the Congress in January 2016 in the presence of CM Naidu, along with thousands of their followers in Vijayawada.
Background
Born in Nellore, Vivekananda did his schooling in the town itself before pursuing his BA from VR College.
He was a three-time legislator, who won in 1999, 2004 and 2009.
In 2009, he was elected as an MLA from Nellore (Rural) constituency. He did not contest the elections in 2014 but his son, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, contested from Atmakur on a Congress ticket, and lost to Mekapati Goutham Reddy from the YSRCP.
He opposed the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to carve out Telangana. One among four brothers, there was always political drama in the family. One of Vivekananda's brothers, Anam Jayakumar Reddy broke away and joined the TDP during the 2014 elections, and two others followed suit in 2016.
Within a month, the fourth brother, Anam Vijayakumar Reddy, joined the YSRCP saying that he would forever be indebted to YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
The former legislator was known for also sporting dark shades and a carefree attitude, and was always seen publicly smoking.
He even made international news on one occasion as he donned a sari, bangles, and lipstick after inaugurating a crafts bazaar in Nellore in 2012 and posed for the cameras "for fun".
He was also known for his antics and lighting up during press meets.
Dissent against the TDP
The death also comes in the wake of reports that the Anam family might consider leaving the TDP, as the members were irked as they believed they were being ignored by the party.
Recently, when the Andhra Chief Minister had called on Vivekananda Reddy at the hospital in Hyderabad along with his Ministers, the family reportedly stayed away.
Reports suggest that the family members were angered as they were lured by the TDP with the promise of a council seat, but were not given any position of power.
While Naidu assured them of a post in 2019, the family members are wary of his promise.
The YSRCP is also reportedly trying to lure the Anam family, but no official announcement has been made on the matter.