20 Years of Revanth Reddy's Political Journey: ZPTC to Telangana CM

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy marks the successful completion of 20 years of his political journey on Saturday. From serving as a ZPTC member to becoming the Chief Minister of Telangana, his political journey has been marked by perseverance, tribulations, challenges, and years of public service.

His political career took off on July 4, 2006, when he successfully contested and won his first election as an independent ZPTC (Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency) member in Midjil, Mahabubnagar district. Since then, his journey has transitioned from an independent grassroots representative to an MLC, a two-time MLA, a Lok Sabha MP, and ultimately the Chief Minister of Telangana

Fondly known as "Revanth Anna", he enjoys an immense following in Telangana and is known for maintaining a close connection with the people.

He studied at A.V. College in Hyderabad, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1992. During his student days Revanth was active in student politics and was an ABVP member. He successfully contested and won his first election as an independent ZPTC (Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency) member in Midjil, Mahabubnagar district. Later, Revanth Reddy was elected as an MLC as an independent candidate. He joined the Telugu Desam Party and won the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections in 2014 from the Kodangal seat with a vote share of 46.45 per cent. He again won from the same seat with a vote share of 39.06 per cent.

He left the TDP and joined Congress in 2017 and contested the 2018 Telangana Assembly elections from Kodangal as a Congress candidate but lost to the BRS (then TRS) candidate, marking his first defeat in any election. He won the seat of Malkajgiri in the 2019 general elections and became the MP by a margin of 10,919 votes.

In June 2021, he was appointed President of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee. Leading from the front, he undertook an extensive and gruelling campaign across the state, connecting directly with people on issues of governance, welfare, and unemployment. His padayatras, public meetings, and door-to-door outreach galvanized party workers and built strong anti-incumbency momentum. The effort culminated in a stupendous victory for the Congress Party in the Telangana Assembly elections held on December 7, 2023.

Anumula Revanth Reddy eventually took the oath as the youngest Chief Minister of Telangana, and becoming the first Congress CM of the youngest state in India.

Over the past two decades, he has faced many challenges, donned several roles, and taken on various responsibilities while steadily rising through the political ranks. Hailing from Palamuru in Mahabubnagar, a region once known for youth migrating to other places in search of livelihood, Revanth Reddy has often spoken about his vision of transforming the backward district into a developed and prosperous region.

On several occasions, he has reiterated the government’s commitment to developing Palamuru through new educational institutions and irrigation projects. Revanth Reddy is widely recognized for his oratory skills and his strong grasp of both state and national issues. Throughout his political career, he has consistently maintained that “the nation comes first” and that public welfare remains his foremost priority.

As Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy has consistently taken Telangana’s concerns to the Union government. While referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his “big brother,” he has repeatedly sought the Centre’s support for the state’s welfare and development. At the same time, he has not hesitated to question the Centre on key issues affecting Telangana, asserting that the state deserves equal attention and support for its growth. Under his leadership, the Telangana government is focused on achieving new milestones in governance, infrastructure, welfare, and economic development.

Marking 20 years in public life on Thursday, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reflected on his political journey as an "unforgettable sweet memory" and vowed to continue serving as a "labourer" in the state’s reconstruction.

In a post on X, using the hashtag #ZPTCToCM, he traced his path from being Revanth Reddy in Midjil to becoming "Revanthanna" in the hearts of the people. "Even if written with lakhs of letters... Even if woven with crores of words... This public life of these two decades. Starting back then as Revanth Reddy in Midjil... To standing today as 'Revanthanna' in all your hearts--this wondrous journey that has unfolded is a special chapter in my life," he wrote. Expressing gratitude to those who supported him, he added, "In these 20 years, in every moment, every event, every struggle, in every fight I waged for the people--my heartfelt congratulations to every soul who stood with me, walked with me: my friends, well-wishers, political workers."

Looking ahead, with this very inspiration, Revanth Reddy promised to remain dedicated to the aspirations of the people of Telangana.

With investment, innovation, and inclusive welfare at the core of his vision, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s plans to make Telangana a USD 1 trillion economy by 2034 and a USD 3 trillion economy by 2047, while raising the state’s share in national GDP to 10% through the "Telangana Rising" roadmap, which focuses on Future City development, IT & AI expansion, industrial growth, irrigation, skill development, and green energy and positions the state as a key engine of India’s growth.