ANANDA BHASKAR MODEL ENTRY INTO PUBLIC LIFE IN 1994: RAJIV SMARAKA PRAGATHI PRANALIKA YATRA

Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu after reaching Hyderabad in January 1994, after completing the rites of his father and staying in his native for more than a month, talked to his guide Shri G. Krishna, veteran Journalist, Shri Kondapalli RamaKirshna Prasad, former MD of Udayam daily and his well-wisher and one of his close friends Shri K. Sanjeeva Rao and explaining his thinking and understanding their observations, moved further. His intention was clear to be with Indian National Congress, keeping his affinity, understanding and philosophy.

Ananda Bhaskar with his historic acquaintance and memorable photo with late Shrimathi INDIRA GANDHI ji in 1976 September and being the Biographer of her, the first post-assassination Biography on her, came out in December 1984, released by Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then Governor who subsequently became the President of India, established his position as Congress ideologue.

His acquaintance with the towering personalities of Congress was for years through his Journalistic profession. He made his intention of plunge into public life was made known to Shri Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy, then Chief Minister of AP, Shri G. Venkat Swamy, Union Minister and Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, crucial leader and MP. They empathised and told to aspire party candidature from his native Assembly Constituency - 263 Chennuru of Warangal district but to wait till it is clear from coming out of Journalism.

Ananda Bhaskar was of the view that to plunge into public life shall be all out and shall be ready to take life as it comes. He wishes to have direct contact with the local leadership and people of the segment and awareness of the problems and issues of development and welfare in the area.

Finally, in February 1994, Ananda Bhaskar quit his Journalistic profession to take up politics as his future avocation and to lead public life.

Ananda Bhaskar decided to take up complete awareness programme of his native Assembly constituency 263 Chennuru of Warangal district and to build affinity with the party and community leaders of all the villages of the constituency.

Ananda Bhaskar decided to call his awareness programme of
his native Assembly constituency as
RAJIV SMARAKA PRAGATHI PRANALIKA YATRA
to begin on May 21, 1994, the death anniversary of late Shri RAJIV GANDHI ji and
to conlude on August 20, 1994, the birth anniversary late Shri RAJIV GANDHI ji.

He has addressed to Shrimathi SONIA GANDHI ji, the Chairperson, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, to Shri Kotla, Shri A. K. Antony and others for their guidance and blessings.

With their encouraging words, Ananda Bhaskar meticulously planned and conducted the three month long Yatra in Chennuru [now 100 - PALAKURTHY] constituency, which established primary, first hand understanding to him and strong number of associates in the area.

Ananda Bhaskar, with his first hand understanding on the ground realities of his native Chennuru Assembly segment following his Rajiv Smaraka Pragathi Pranalika Yatra, made out a detailed study paper on the problems and issues and submitted to the then CM, APCC President and sent copies to AICC.

Then, Ananda Bhaskar took primary membership of Indian National Congress and announced his intention to contest the ensuing 1994 Assembly polls and took word from the leadership and continued his efforts of public activity.