Late Congress MLA's Daughter DK Aruna Is BJP Candidate From Mahabubnagar. All About Telangana's 'Power Family'

In a major political shift, Aruna joined the BJP ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the presence of senior party leaders in New Delhi.

Born and married into politically influential families, Aruna has been a prominent figure in the state's political landscape.

Source : X/@aruna_dk

The seemingly unremarkable villages of Dharmavaram and Kottam, nestled near the Andhra Pradesh border close to Kurnool in Telangana, carry significant weight as they represent the initials 'D K' of one of south Telangana's most influential families. In a strategic move ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its decision to field veteran politician Dharmavarapu Kottam (DK) Aruna from the Mahbubnagar constituency, according to its second list of candidates.

This marks another significant milestone in Aruna's illustrious political career, spanning over two decades across multiple political parties. Currently, DK Aruna also serves as National Vice President of BJP.

Aruna's Early Life

Born and married into politically influential families, Aruna has been a prominent figure in the state's political landscape.

Born on May 4, 1960, Aruna's political journey is profoundly intertwined with her family's legacy with key family members, including her father Chittem Narsi Reddy and brother Chittem Venkateswar Reddy, staunch supporters of the Congress party.

At the age of 16, she married Congress leader DK Bharathsimha Reddy, entering another family deeply entrenched in politics, including her father-in-law DK Satya Reddy, her husband and her brother-in-law DK Samara Simha Reddy.

However, both her father and brother were assassinated by Maoists in 2005.

Aruna's Political Entry

Aruna's political career has been marked by her versatile affiliations, having represented the Congress, BJP, and Samajwadi Party at various points in time. Her tenure in Andhra Pradesh's cabinet under YS Rajasekhar Reddy and later Rosaiah saw her handling significant portfolios, including Information and Public Relations, and Small Scale industries, among others as a Minister.

Her foray into politics began with an Assembly poll contest in Gadwal, a seat her family has traditionally held. In 1999, Aruna contested from Gadwal Assembly seat experiencing her sole electoral defeat in a political career that spans over two decades. Undeterred, she reclaimed the seat for her family in the 2004 elections, this time running on a Samajwadi Party ticket.

Later, Aruna moved back to Congress and was elected as a MLA from Gadwal thrice in 2009, 2014 and 2018 representing the party.

In a major political shift, Aruna joined the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the presence of senior party leaders in New Delhi. She contested from Mahbubnagar constituency under the BJP banner.

Against the backdrop, Aruna's nomination for the upcoming elections from Mahbubnagar by the BJP reaffirms her standing within the party and highlights her significance in the region's political equation.