G. Kishan Reddy is an Indian politician, philanthropist, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member. He has served as a member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly once and the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly twice. He hit the headlines in July 2023 after he was appointed as the president of Telangana BJP for the second time.
Wiki/Biography
Gangapuram Kishan Reddy was born on Wednesday, 15 June 1960 (age 63 years; as of 2023) in Timmapur village, Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana), India. His zodiac sign is Gemini. After completing his schooling in Andhra Pradesh, in 1975, he enrolled in the Central Institute of Tool Designs (CITD) in Balanagar, Andhra Pradesh (now in Telangana). There, he earned a diploma in tool design engineering in 1978.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
G. Kishan Reddy with Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy & Tourism of UAE
Family
G. Kishan Reddy was born into a middle-class farmer’s family in Andhra Pradesh.
Parents & Siblings
His father Gangapuram Swami Reddy (deceased) was a farmer. His mother’s name is Gangapuram Andalamma (deceased).
Wife & Children
His wife, Gangapuram Kavya Reddy, is a businesswoman. He got married to her on 22 March 1995. He has two kids, a son named Tanmai Reddy, and a daughter named Vaishnavi Reddy.
G. Kishan Reddy’s photo with his wife
A photo of G. Kishan Reddy with his daughter
A photo of G. Kishan Reddy with his son Tanmai Reddy
Religion
G. Kishan Reddy follows Hinduism.
Address
He resides at H.No. 3-4-4, Flat No. 502, Legend Shri Lakshmi Apartments, Bhoomannagalli, Kachiguda Station Road, Hyderabad-500027, Telangana, India.
Signature/Autograph
Signature of G. Kishan Reddy
Career
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
G. Kishan Reddy joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as a pracharak in Andhra Pradesh while pursuing graduation. In an interview, Reddy said that he decided to join the RSS after he got influenced by the life and works of Jayaprakash Narayan, the leader of the JP Movement in Bihar.
Politics
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM)
In 1977, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) as a yuva karyakarta. Owing to his organisational and leadership skills, he later became a leader of the BJYM. In 1980, he was appointed as the convener of the BJYM’s Ranga Reddy district committee; he held the post till 1981. He worked as the state treasurer of BJYM Andhra Pradesh from 1982 to 1983. In 1982, he was appointed as the district president of the morcha. He assumed the post of state secretary of the BJYM in 1983. He remained in the post till 1984. From 1986 to 1990, Reddy served as the BJYM’s president in Andhra Pradesh. In 1990, he was appointed as the All India Secretary of BJYM and was given charge of the morcha in the southern states of India. From 1992 to 1994, he served as the All India Vice President of the yuva morcha. He served three consecutive terms, i.e., from 1994 to 2001 as the national general secretary of the yuva morcha. In September 2002, he was appointed as the national president of the morcha; he remained in the post till September 2005. He later visited China as the National President of BJYM, upon receiving an invitation from the China Youth Federation. On 26 July 2003, he went to Israel as a representative of BJYM and led the delegation with a focus on promoting bilateral and trade relationships.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
In 1980, he left the RSS and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a party worker. G. Kishan Reddy served as the state treasurer, state spokesperson, and state headquarters administrative in charge of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh from July 2001 to August 2002. In September 2004, he was appointed as the state general secretary and official spokesperson of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh. From March 2010 to March 2014, Reddy served as the president of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh for two consecutive terms. From 2014 to 2016, he served as the president of the BJP in Telangana. In July 2023, G. Kishan Reddy replaced Bandi Sanjay Kumar as the president of the BJP in Telangana. While giving an interview, Reddy talked about it and said,
I had never asked for any post in the party or sought to become a Cabinet Minister at the Centre. I just followed orders since 1980. The party is my life. The leadership must have considered a lot of issues before appointing me. The goal is to ensure that the party comes to power in Telangana. I will be meeting all the leaders soon to chalk out an action plan for the up coming elections. First, we we will discuss making the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Warangal a success.”
G. Kishan Reddy with BJP workers in Telangana after his appointment as the state president of the BJP
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
In 2004, G. Kishan Reddy contested the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections on BJP’s ticket from the Himayatnagar constituency and emerged victorious. Thereafter, he was appointed as the floor leader of the Bharatiya Janata Legislative Party (BJLP). He was re-elected to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 2009 from the Amberpet constituency. He contested the 2014 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly polls from the Amberpet constituency and won. In the elections, he defeated Aedla Sudhakar Reddy, a member of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), by a margin of 62,598 votes. On 2 June 2014, after the establishment of Telangana, he entered the Telangana Legislative Assembly as an MLA. In May 2018, he became the floor leader of the BJP MLAs. He contested the 2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly polls from the Amberpet constituency and was defeated by K. Venkatesham, a BRS member, by a margin of 1,016 votes.
G. Kishan Reddy addressing his supporters during an election rally
Member of the Parliament (MP)
In 2019, he contested the Lok Sabha elections from the Secunderabad constituency and registered a victory over his nearest rival Talasani Sai Kiran Yadav, a BRS candidate, by a margin of 62,114 votes. On 30 May 2019, he was appointed as the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, a post that he held till 7 July 2021.
A photo of G. Kishan Reddy taken while he was giving a speech in the parliament
While serving as a Minister of State (MoS), he wrote a letter to Telangana’s chief minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao, requesting the resumption of MMTS services in Hyderabad due to a rise in the demand for local public transport. On 7 July 2021, he was given charge of the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Culture. In 2022, he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
A photo of G. Kishan Reddy taken with dignitaries from different nations at the SCO Summit
On 16 February 2023, as Minister of Tourism, Reddy launched the Best Tourism Village Competition Portal, Rural Tourism Portal. and the Global Tourism Investor Summit 2023 Portal with the intent of attracting more tourists and investments in India. In May 2023, he attended the G20 Summit in Kashmir, where he gave the inaugural speech to welcome the invitees. He also played a vital role in drafting and presenting the Goa Roadmap for Tourism, which was unanimously adopted by the members of the G20 Summit. While giving an interview, he talked about it and said,
Except for Egypt and China, delegates from all countries were present. More than 130 delegates participated in the event. It was a very successful meeting. Goa declaration has been adopted there. After all, countries have spoken to the officials of their respective countries, everyone has given recommendations. Unanimously Goa declaration has been adopted making it a successful event.”
A photo of G. Kishan Reddy taken while he was giving a speech at the G20 Summit
Other Works
During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as the Prime Minister of India, he was chosen to serve as a member of the drafting committee for the National Youth Policy.
A photo of G. Kishan Reddy with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
While serving as the president of the BJYM, he established the World Youth Council Against Terrorism (WYCAT), a non-political organization aimed at combating terrorism globally, and took on the role of the council’s international chairman.
G. Kishan Reddy during a meeting at the World Youth Council Against Terrorism (WYCAT)
Thereafter, under the aegis of WYCAT, he established the International Youth Conference Against Terrorism (IYCAT) in New Delhi; the first session was attended by more than 193 delegates from over 54 countries. Later, he organized the Seema Suraksha Jagaran Yatra to show support for the residents of border areas facing hostility and to emphasize the importance of increased vigilance by both the people and the government to ensure secure borders and embarked on a 45-day journey, covering over 1200 km by road through eight states, visiting villages in border districts adjacent to Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, and Nepal. He held positions as the national secretary of the Indian Council of Political Leaders under the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), chairman of the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Home Guards Welfare Association and the Telangana Kabbadi Association, and the international vice chairman of the Afro Asia Youth Council.
Activism
G. Kishan Reddy is recognized for his dedication to social activism, particularly in support of children. During his tenure as an MLA in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, he worked with MRPS leader Manda Krishna Madiga to initiate a campaign urging the then Andhra Pradesh government to adopt a policy addressing the needs of underprivileged families with children suffering from heart ailments. He also played a crucial role in the Telangana movement for separate statehood. On 19 January 2012, aiming at separating Telangana from Andhra Pradesh, he undertook a 25-day journey called the Telangana Poru Yatra during which he delivered speeches at 333 meetings.
Controversy
Accusing the BRS-led Telangana government of fostering separatist tendencies
In 2020, at a time when there was a disagreement between the Government of Telangana and the Union government regarding the allocation of the budget to the state, Reddy released a statement in which he accused the Telangana government of showing “separatist tendencies” by requesting a greater share in the central funds. In a press conference, he talked about it and said,
By pointing out that it was contributing more to the Central kitty through taxes and receiving less, and questioning the Union government, the Telangana government is indulging in “Verpatu Vadam” (separatist tendency).”
Awards & Honours
- He received the Best Child-friendly Legislator Award in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
- In 2009, he received the Outstanding Youth Leadership Award from the Maryland India Business Round Table held in the USA.
- For his contribution towards global peace, Reddy was awarded a Glory of Honour medal and title by the Union of Bulgarian Commandos.
Car Collection
He owns a Maruti 800.
Salary/Income
In 2022, G. Kishan Reddy’s salary as a member of the parliament was around Rs. 2 lacs + other allowances. His income in the financial year 2017-18 was estimated to be Rs. 4,39,550.
Assets & Properties
Movable Assets
- Bank Deposits: Rs. 13,53,784
- Bonds, Debentures, and Shares in companies: Rs. 3,71,358
- LIC or other insurance Policies: Rs. 6,24,336
- Loans and advances given: Rs. 32,00,000
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 1,10,000
- Other Assets: Rs. 10,11,714
Immovable Assets
- Non-Agricultural Land: Rs. 1,78,50,000
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2019. It excludes the assets owned by his wife and dependents (minor).
Net Worth
G. Kishan Reddy’s net worth for the year 2019 was estimated to be Rs. 1,82,54,192. It excludes the net worth of his wife and dependents (minors).
Facts/Trivia
- His friends and family fondly refer to him as Kishan Anna.
- His name is also spelt as Kishan Reddy Gangapuram.
- In 1994, he travelled to the United States as part of a group of five young political leaders, including Narendra Modi, invited by the American Council for Young Political Leaders. There, he researched the American political system.
G. Kishan Reddy (left) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi outside the White House in Washington, D.C.
- In 1994, he travelled to the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Nepal to study the youth-oriented policies implemented by the countries.
- In the same year, he was appointed as a member of the Committee for National Youth Programmes.
- He was invited to attend the World Vision – 2000 conference held in Washington, D.C.
- Kishan Reddy was a member of the national steering committee for the Vandemataram New Millennium 2000 celebrations organized by the Government of India.
- He has been to Morocco, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Singapore, Egypt, Bangkok, Hong Kong, France, and the United Kingdom to attend international conferences on terrorism.
- Reddy faced a protest from Secunderabad constituency residents in June 2022 due to his alleged prolonged absence from the area.
A photo of the residents of the Secunderabad constituency holding a missing banner
- He takes a keen interest in sports like kabaddi, carrom, and badminton.
- He has penned two books, Seema Suraksha, and Jagran Yatra (2000).
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education