Congress Eyes Giant Killer As Ap Congress Chief
Great Andhra
There is growing speculation in Srikakulam district that former Union minister and Congress leader Killi Kriparani may be appointed as the president of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee. Kriparani, who belongs to the Tekkali Assembly constituency in Srikak
ulam district, joined the Congress in 2004.
Soon after joining the party, she contested the Lok Sabha election from Srikakulam and took on the Telugu Desam Party. Though she lost in her first attempt, she made a strong political impact.
In the 2009 elections, Kriparani defeated senior TDP leader Kinjarapu Yerrannaidu and earned the reputation of being a giant killer.
She later served as Union Minister of State for Communications in the UPA-II government.
Even after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Kriparani remained with the Congress and contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Srikakulam. However, she was defeated.
Before the 2019 elections, she joined the YSR Congress Party and expected the Srikakulam Lok Sabha ticket. But the party did not give her an opportunity.
Ahead of the 2024 elections, Kriparani returned to the Congress.
Congress leaders are reportedly considering her name for the PCC chief post because she is a woman from the Backward Classes and also a doctor.
The party leadership reportedly believes that appointing her could help Congress attract BC voters, who have a strong presence in the north coastal Andhra districts.
Kriparani has not received a major political opportunity for nearly one-and-a-half decades.
Her supporters believe that she can revive her political career and lead the party effectively if she is appointed as the Andhra Pradesh Congress chief.