Rajiv Gandhi’s 404 elected MPs in 1984 did not have P V Narasimha Rao. In fact, PVR was India’s Home Minister when Indira Gandhi was assassinated.
Nirendra Dev / New Delhi
The BJP maybe called a ‘north Indian’ party and Shiv Sena may walk away with the compliment of being BJP’s first regional partner. But the fact of the matter is the saffron party had understanding and partnership with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) right from its first election in 1984.
Moreover, in its new avatar as a party — that is the Bharatiya Janata Party – with its symbol Lotus had won first two MPs from Gujarat and united Andhra Pradesh.
In the 1984 parliamentary polls, which Atal Bihari Vajpayee famously lost to Madhavrao Scindia from Gwalior; two MPs elected on the BJP ticket were — Chandupatla Janga Reddy and A K Patel.
In fact Patel won in 1984 and also subsequently in 1989, 1991, 1996 and 1998.
Janga Reddy was a giant killer of 1984 polls. Born 18th November 1935, he expired on 5th February, 2022).
He was elected to the 8th Lok Sabha (1984) from Hanamkonda constituency in Andhra Pradesh defeating the future Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao.
In the 1984 polls, TDP had won 30 seats and Congress 404 (which later increased to 414); and the Leader of the Opposition was attained by the TDP. It’s floor leader was C Madhava Reddy.
Born, 22 August 1924, he expired on 14th March, 1990. Madhava Reddy served in the 1st and 8th Lok Sabha(s). Reddy represented the Adilabad constituency.
During his entire political career, Reddy associated with several political parties; namely, Socialist Party, Praja Socialist Party, Indian National Congress, Janata Party and the Telugu Desam Party after it was founded by NTR.