Naidu's trusted aide, Ashok in Modi Cabinet

By SNV Sudhir

 Visakhapatnam, May 26, 2014:  TD’s senior most leader and Vizianagaram MP, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who was sworn in as cabinet minister is the only MP from Andhra Pradesh to  be part of Modi government. Though, M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also from Andhra Pradesh is a member in the Modi Cabinet, he was elected to Rajyasabha from Karnataka. Ashok, 62, is a scion of the Pusapati royal family of  Vizinagaram.  

In a political career spanning nearly 35 years, he was elected to Andhra  Pradesh Assembly seven times and held various ministries in the state cabinet. He almost
won every election except in 2004.

Ashok is a considered as a trusted aide of TD chief N Chandrababu Naidu. He was one of the key persons of Naidu’s camp during the infamous coup in TD in 1995 which ousted the then chief minister and party founder, NT Rama Rao.

He is known as a man of integrity and honesty. He was excise minister and commercial taxes minister in N T Rama Rao's cabinet. Later he also held posts of finance and legislative affairs minister and revenue minister in Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet.

He was first elected as Janata Party candidate in 1978 and won 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009 elections as TD candidate.

 “Although we belong to different political parties, I would like to emphasise that am very appreciative indeed, of Ashok’s commitment to clean politics. He has been immune to corruption, and has demonstrated that politics still has a place for individuals who do not indulge in criminal activities. For, this I would like to extend my hearty congratulations to him. His character and personal ethics are praise worthy,” said former Araku MP and Congress senior leader, V Kishore Chandra Deo.