Q Why did you enter politics?
I always had a desire to serve the public and it made me join the IPS. After retiring as DGP I could have led a peaceful retired life. But I still have the desire to serve the public and I chose politics. Why did you join the YSR Congress?
I think that Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was the best CM the state had. I see the same potential in his son Y.S. Jagan. Hence I chose the YSRC.
What makes you stand out in a constituency that has many bigwigs?
Due to my long tenure in the IPS, I have imbibed qualities like discipline, integrity and selfless service. I think that would help me do a better job. It would also give me satisfaction to turn Malkajgiri, the largest LS constituency, into an ideal one.
Why do you think people will vote for you?
The people who benefited through my services, know about my work. For instance I was the first to introduce the emergency number system ‘100’ in the state like the 911 system in the US. I threw open my office to the public every day and introduced the police sub-control system. I also ensured law and order in the state when it was going through three agitations, the separate Telangana, united AP and the separate Andhra. I also turned around APSRTC.
Recently you claimed you were banking on you previous track record…
Yes. In Malkajgiri there are many families of Railway, APSRTC employees and defence personnel with whom I was associated during my tenure. They would certainly support me. In addition, there are many people from Seemandhra who have a sense of insecurity. I will provide protection to them. Moreover, though I was born in Nellore, most of my life has been in Telangana. My sister is married to a person from Telangana.
What are your plans for Malkajgiri?
It is a chance for me to develop the largest Lok Sabha constituency in the country. The constituency has acute road and water problems which I intend to address immediately if I am elected. Roads and infrastructure, sufficient water, extension of the Metro along Malkajgiri, Balanagar, Jeedimetla; establishing professional colleges, vocation training centre for youth, creating lung space by developing parks in place of dumping yards, removing open drainages, and relocating the polluting industries concentrated in the Quthubullapur and Jeedi-metla regions are my plans for the constituency.
