Nizamabad: Following BRS MLA Mynampally Hanumanth Rao’s resignation from the party, the focus shifts to the undivided Medak district where his son Dr Mynampally Rohith has been working for the past few months.
Hanumanth Rao’s resignation comes against the backdrop of a rivalry with minister T. Harish Rao, and his son being denied the Medak ticket.
Hanumanth Rao contributed to strengthening the BRS in Greater Hyderabad and the undivided Medak district. He served as a Telugu Desam MLA from 2009 to 2014 from Medak Assembly constituency. After joining BRS, he strengthened the party’s base in Hyderabad. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao elevated him as MLC and later, he was elected MLA in 2018.
Hanumanth Rao also was Ramayampet (now Medak) MLA in 2008 and 2009. The constituency has a strong base for Mynamaplly family members and for the past 10 years, second-rung leaders and cadres have been following Hanumanth Rao’s lead.
Dr Rohith had worked during the Covid-19 pandemic by extending monetary and medical help to the public. Later, he focussed on the Medak Assembly constituency, their home ground.
His name entered the political equation after MLA Padma Devender Reddy was allegedly unable to connect with the cadre, with a section of leaders complaining the MLA ignored them for party activities.
In this context, Dr Rohith’s whirlwind tours in the constituency and initiating bank fixed deposits (FDs) for orphans in the Medak boosted the BRS cadre, which began rallying behind him.
Health minister T. Harish Rao, who is looking after the BRS affairs in undivided Medak, faced criticism from Hanumantha Rao over MLA ticket distribution.
“Rohith was denied a ticket because he is the son of a MLA. The young leader got applause from the BRS cadre and party high command must consider the ground reality and should have given him the chance to contest,” a BRS leader from Medak said.
A large section of the BRS cadre in Medak is planning to follow Hanumanth Rao, whether he joins the Congress or not, with many of them opining that the father-son duo cannot be challenged in the district.
