Telugu Desam, Congress pit dad against daughter

Visakhapatnam: Former Union minister Vyricherla Kishore Chandra Deo, who recently joined the Telugu Desam from the Congress, is pitted against his daughter Shruthi Vyricherla who is representing the Congress in the April 11 elections from the Araku Lok Sabha constituency.

Given this unique situation, both father and daughter, who stay in the same house, do not wish each other the best in their political ventures.

Both of them said that they do not discuss politics in the house. “When we both are in separate political parties there is no point in discussing politics,” Mr Kishore Chandra Deo said.

Contesting against him was his daughter’s independent decision and he had no right to stop her, he said.

“I don’t want to be a hypocrite, I can’t wish her all the best when I am contesting the elections to win,” he added. Ms Shruthi Vyricherla said she would definitely criticise her father on policy issues.

QApart from being the daughter of Kishore Chandra Deo, who is Shruthi Vyricherla?
Advocate in the Supreme Court since 1997. A woman  who joined the Congress in 1998, a grassroots campaigner as well as a pro bono politico-legal adviser, primarily via advising and supporting my father. I am an independent legal consultant and a specialist in environmental and tribal rights law and policy.

Q What comprises the body of your political work?
I have worked diligently for over two decades and played a role in building a brand of politics that has been workable for the poorest of the poor, and for marginalised sections of society on the planet, while taking India’s governance forward in appropriate ways in the global context, including in connection with a slew of national-level legislation, as well as international treaties and conventions. I have also been involved in political campaigning and coalition building.

QHow did your father react to your decision to contest against him?
We never discuss politics at home. He knew that I’m contesting in the election. We usually have a family talk at home and speak to each other on various issues every day. But, to date, we haven’t spoken about contesting against each other. Contesting in the election is my independent decision.

QWhy against your father?
 I have been with the Congress all these years and I want to contest in the elections to bring gender justice and to work for forest rights. I want to serve the people and I have decided to contest in the elections. But it was not intentional to contest against my father. I can say both my father and I are anti-corruption and will never entertain corruption.

QHaving been a political adviser to your father, do you think it will help you to understand your father's strategies? Are you going to criticise him?
Though I know about my father’s strategies very well, I don’t need to think of them as I’m confident of winning the Araku Lok Sabha seat. The people there have been in touch with me for many years; they know me well. I’m very strong in the constituency. I’m not going to criticise anyone personally. But, I will criticise him along with representatives of other parties when we deal with policy issues.

QYou served as Union minister and your daughter is contesting against you. How do you feel about it?
 Everyone has the right to contest in the election. I will never stop anyone from contesting the elections, even if it is my daughter. Shruthi is not a child and she is completely independent. I know that she is capable of taking her own decision.

QWas there any discussion between you two regarding this? Have you wished your daughter all the best?
We never have political conversations at home. I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I’m contesting to win the election not to lose. So, I haven’t wished her all the best.

QThere are several allegations against TD and it is now being described as a U-turn party with regard to special category status?
 We cannot compare this election with 2014. With the bifurcation of the state, people were confused. There will be lots of qualitative differences in the present election when compared to the previous one. This time the people have clarity, and are ready to vote for me and for the TD.

QAraku was won by the YSRC in 2014 and YSRC leaders are saying it’s their stronghold. What do you say?

The Telugu Desam is not looking back into the past but is going forward into the future. I was a member of the UPA 2 government. Then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had directed the Planning Commission to start the process of special category status for the state. Though the BJP said that they will provide a special package, they failed to do it. So, the people will not choose a party that supports BJP in the Centre.

QIf the people vote for the Telugu Desam again, will it work with a commitment for special category status?
The Dharma Porata Deeksha that was held in Delhi shows the commitment of Telugu Desam for special category status. Most of the regional parties have extended their support to Andhra Pradesh. We are 100 per cent sure that there will be a non BJP government after the elections. Most probably a coalition government will be formed with the regional parties. Thus, we can get complete support to achieve Special Category Status. We are informing the same to the public during the campaigning.