Why did BJP pick N Ramachandra Rao as Telangana President?

Hyderabad: After several months of hiatus, the BJP has finally picked a new face to lead the party in Telangana. Old timer and loyalist N Ramachandra Rao has been named as the new BJP state president. He will replace Secunderabad MP and Union Minister G Kishen Reddy as the state chief of the saffron party.

Speculations about two-time MP from Nizamabad, Aravind Dharmapuri and new entrant in the BJP party but seasoned politician Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajendra have now come to an end.

Pertinently, Union Minister of State and former BJP state president Bandi Sanjay pitched for Rao's candidature. And Rao has the backing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

On June 30, N Ramachandra Rao was the only candidate to file a nomination. This comes after he received a call from the party's high command. Union Minister Bandi Sanjay is also in the city to support his candidature.

A source privy to development in the BJP told NewsMeter that for the next 3 years, Rao will lead the party in the state, and then Bandi Sanjay might take over before General elections.

Though Sanjay was removed from the president’s post in the last elections, the BJP top brass still looks at him as someone who can take on the Opposition in Telangana. Nizamabad MP Aravind Dharmapuri, who was also in the race for the president’s post, seemingly was not considered.

Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajendra, though given many opportunities within the BJP, is still seen as someone who supports the BRS in the state.

It may be recalled that Eatala Rajendra was once a minister in the BRS Chief K Chandrashekar Rao’s government. He left the party after a fallout with KCR.

Source added that the camaraderie between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bandi Sanjay indicated that the top brass takes his words seriously. And therefore they agreed on Rao.

During the inauguration of the Turmeric board in Nizamabad, when Amit Shah asked the audience to raise their hands if they think BRS is corrupt and the large-scale corruption was done in the Kaleshwaram Project, Eatala did not lift his hand. This did not go unnoticed. Party members have time and again informed the national leadership of Eatala’s closeness to a few BRS leaders.

N Ramachandra Rao files Nomination as the state president-

Speaking to NewsMeter, Rao said many leaders tried to be in the race, but the BJP picked old timers like him who are committed to the party's ideology. “Even the BJP cadre strongly advocated that old timers should be given the chance to lead the party because the new entrants have already been given election tickets and even central positions. I thank the national and state leadership for giving me this opportunity. We will ensure that the BJP comes to power,” he said.

Professional Journey:

Enrolled as an advocate in 1986, he started practice in the district and sessions courts in Hyderabad. He also practiced in the Metropolitan courts in Nampally and the High Court of Telangana (Erstwhile High Court of A.P).

Designated as Senior Advocate by the High Court of AP in 2012

He is currently practicing in the Supreme Court. He is also appearing before various high courts, district courts, and other judicial tribunals in criminal, civil, and constitutional matters.

Was Secretary, Metropolitan Courts Bar Association, Nampally from 1992 -1994.

Was President, Metropolitan Courts Bar Association, Nampally from 2000-2002.

Was a Member of the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh in 2006.

Was a Member of the Bar Council of India in 2012. He served as a member from 2012 to 2019.

Served as Member, Press Council of India from 2013-15.

Served as Member, Academic Council and General Council, National Academy of Legal Studies and Research, University (NALSAR), Shameerpet, Hyderabad, and National Law University, Bangalore.