`PM Modi is my mentor': From OBC leader to BJP's Parliament Committee, life comes full circle for Dr. K. Laxman

Hyderabad: In the early 90s, Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi, the then National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led the Ekta Yatra from Kanyakumari to Srinagar to promote national unity. The Yatra culminated with the unfurling of the tricolor at Lal Chowk on Republic Day in 1992. It was after this yatra that the Ayodhya Movement spearheaded by Manohar Joshi gained momentum and changed the dynamics of Indian Politics.

Accompanying Manohar Joshi was then BJP party general secretary Narendra Modi who went on to become Prime Minister. Modi and Manohar Joshi's camaraderie during the Ayodhya yatra again became a talking point when PM visited the temple town to lay the foundation stone.

Little did young Dr. K. Laxman who was then (I am referring to the '90s) Ekta Yatra Incharge from United Andhra Pradesh and reporting to PM Modi, knew that his association would elevate his political career.

Cut to August 17, Rajya Sabha member K Laxman was inducted into the BJP's Apex Parliamentary Board and the party's Central Election Committee. Laxman was inducted after BJP reconstituted the Parliamentary Board, the highest decision-making body of the party. He is the only one from the two Telugu-speaking states to be inducted into the elite club of the BJP.

Rajya Sabha MP Dr. K. Laxman shared his Euphoria with NewsMeter: "I was caught by surprise. When the media flashed the news, I cross-checked the BJP Social media handle for confirmation. This gave me a sense of contentment. My elevation means recognizing my commitment to the BJP and its ideology for the last 4 decades. My appointment sends out a message, that there are no shortcuts. This is only possible with a party like BJP which discourages dynasty politics." With his appointment Dr Laxman automatically becomes a member of the most powerful committee which decides who would contest elections, including parliament polls.

Early Days

Dr. K. Laxman is a first-generation leader in his family. The genesis of his political career goes back to his student days at Osmania University when he joined the ABVP in the 80s. Following his short stint, he formally joined the BJP. "I entered the party when it had only two Members of Parliament across the country," he said.

Soon after the Ekta Yatra, he was named General Secretary and later went on to be the Hyderabad City president between 1995 and 1999. It was only in 1994 that he took the plunge and contested from the Musheerabad Assembly constituency but lost by a narrow margin to Congress candidate Kondanda Reddy. His first election loss helped him build a foundation, in 1999 he was elected for the first time as an MLA.

In the years 2004 and 2009, he lost elections. But came back in 2014. For five years he served as the BJP's Telangana President. " It was during this time the then BJP party President Amit Shah would frequently visit Telangana and I would stay with him all through his state tour. I had ample time to spend with him. The BJP party believes in recognizing commitment, If you look at the Padma awards, many gems that were not recognized by the earlier government were re-consigned. Many humble people from all walks of life made it to the President's home. It is a rise for me from a state president, I was made the OBC Morcha Chief and then nominated as Rajya Sabha Member" he told NewsMeter.

Dr. K. Laxman was born to a middle-class family to Kova Ramulu & Kova Mangamma. He holds a degree in Science and Ph.D. in Geology - from Osmania University. "I have fond memories with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Ekta Yatra. He was my mentor while I was in charge of AP. I never aspired to hold any top position in the party, my commitment has brought me this far" he added.

When asked what would be his role in the Parliamentary committee, he said, ``Whatever job the party entrusts upon me, I will stay committed. Modi Ji believes in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas " he added.

What his elevation means to Telangana

Dr K Laxman's induction into the apex club comes as a major push for BJP's Mission Telangana 2023. With a high percent of OBC population in Telangana, Laxman is the BJP face to lure the community. While this part, the appointment also come across as the BJP's growing interest in elevating leaders from the South. It is pertinent to note that Laxman will toe in line with the top brass, i.e Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah. He made it to the committee when other tall leaders of the BJP like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath missed out.