Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu
Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu (1885-1967) was an Indian politician and the first Minister of Law for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. When Andhra Pradesh became a newly formed state, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was its first Chief Minister. Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu served in his cabinet.[1]
Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 June 1885 Narasapuram, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Died | 1 June 1967 (aged 81) India |
| Political party | Justice Party |
| Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Venkata Lakshmi |
| Children | 4 sons and 1 daughter |
| Residence | Narasapuram |
Early life and education
Grandhi Venkata Reddy Naidu (aka Grandhi Venkatareddi and G.V.Reddy Naidu) was born in a famous Telaga Naidu family on 18 June 1885 at Narasapuram, West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, India. His father Narasimha Rao was a Land Lord at Narasapuram. His Grandfather Venkata Reddy Naidu was a Munsiff (circa 1840). Grandhi was a follower of K.V.Reddy Naidu.
Grandhi received his B.A and L.L.B degrees from University of Madras, and was called to the bar in 1918,[2] enrolled as an Advocate in the Madras High Court. After practicing law for three decades, he shifted his practice to his birthplace of Narasapuram.
Career
Grandhi spent his early youth in the Indian independence movement. Later he joined the Justice Party. He was the Justice Party President in Godavari District as well as West Godavari District. In 1955 he was elected as a Congress MLA from Narasapuram;[3] and became the first Minister of Law for the state of Andhra Pradesh. He also served as the Minister for Endowments, Law officers, Prisons and Subordinate Courts. He was a Senate and Syndicate Member in Madras University and Andhra University. He was draft committee member in various state government acts. He was a Draft committee Chairman of Dowry prohibition Act, an act introduced in the assembly in September 1956. He established subordinate courts in Visalandhra, and schools in West Godavari District.
Positions held
- 1922 - President of the Narasapuram Taluka Board (a position to which he was elected five times unanimously)
- 1936 - President of the Godavari District Board. After formation of West Godavari district, he was re-elected as the President. He served as the President of the board for ten years.
- 1930 - Member of the Legislative Council, Madras Presidency
- 1955 - Member of Legislative Assembly, Government of Andhra Pradesh
- 1955-1957 - Minister of Law, Government of Andhra Pradesh
Personal life
He married Grandhi Venkata Lakshmi, the daughter of Dr. Chapa Mangaiah Naidu, a medical doctor who was in service of the Raja of Vijayanagaram, Vizagapatam District. The couple had four sons and a daughter, namely, Kesava Ramam Murthy (advocate), Venkata Narasimha Rao (advocate), Venkateswara Rao (agriculture), Surya Prakasa Rao (government service). His grandson is Justice Grandhi Bhavani Prasad. His great-grandson, Krishna Grandhi is a Juris Doctor (USA) and established the law firm Grandhi Law Chambers at Jubilee hills, Hyderabad.