Reddy was the only Hindu leader to achieve three consecutive wins as MLA.
HYDERABAD
In the heart of the bustling Old Town in Hyderabad, the name “Patabasti” is synonymous with Majlis Adda, a stronghold of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM). Often, during election seasons, one hears the sentiment, “There are MIM leaders… there is no chance of winning other than Muslim candidates.” However, breaking this mold, a Hindu leader, Baddam Bal Reddy, has etched his name in the history of the region by securing a hat-trick of wins as an MLA in the predominantly Muslim constituency of Pata Basti.
Baddam Bal Reddy made history by being elected to the Legislative Assembly as a BJP candidate three times in a row from the Karwan Assembly Constituency, a vital part of Old Basti. His impressive record remains unmatched for nearly four decades, a testament to his unwavering political journey.
Born and raised in the Aliabad area of Hyderabad’s Old Town, Bal Reddy’s early political inclinations led him to the Janasangh during his student days. He later transitioned to the Janata Party in 1977 and continued his political journey when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was formed.
During this period, Bal Reddy played a pivotal role in transforming the Karwan Assembly constituency into a BJP stronghold. In the 1982 elections, Bakar Agha secured a victory as an independent candidate from Karwan, right after the formation of the Telugu Desam Party. However, in 1985, Baddam Bal Reddy contested from the BJP and was embraced by the people of the Karwan constituency, winning by a substantial margin of 9,777 votes against Virasat Rasul Khan, who ran as an MIM candidate.
In the subsequent election held in 1989, Bal Reddy secured another victory, this time with a majority of 3,066 votes against Bakar Aga. His popularity soared in 1994 when he clinched the election against MIM candidate Syed Sajjad with a significantly increased majority of 13,293 votes. His supporters affectionately referred to him as the “Carvan Tiger” and “Golkonda Lion” for his hat-trick victories.
After a series of triumphant victories, Bal Reddy could not secure legislative office again. However, his dedication and commitment remained unshaken, and he continued to contest elections in Karwan until 2014. In the 2014 assembly elections, he competed from Karwan once more, receiving 48,614 votes and securing the second position.
Tragically, Baddam Bal Reddy passed away in February 2019, bringing an end to a lifelong political journey in the BJP. Despite his ultimate defeat, his legacy as a prominent leader in the region endures.
Notably, Bal Reddy also ventured into Lok Sabha elections, contesting in 1991, 1998, and 1999 from the Hyderabad seat on behalf of the BJP. In the 1991 election, he gave a tough competition to MIM candidate Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi. Owaisi secured 4,54,823 votes, while Bal Reddy was not far behind with 4,15,299 votes, ultimately losing by a margin of 39,524 votes. This remains the lowest majority that MIM has achieved in the Hyderabad Lok Sabha elections.
In the 1998 election, Bal Reddy garnered 4,14,173 votes, and in the 1999 election, he received 3,87,344 votes, securing the second position in both instances.
Bal Reddy’s dedication to his political beliefs and the BJP came at a cost, as he was the target of multiple assassination attempts. In 1978, he was brutally attacked by unknown assailants in the Salibanda area, where he sustained severe injuries. Fortunately, he was rushed to the hospital and survived the attack.
In a shocking revelation in 2017, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested several individuals with alleged links to Pakistan’s spy agency ISI. These individuals were accused of conspiring to assassinate Bal Reddy in 2004.
The story of Baddam Bal Reddy is a testament to the enduring spirit of democracy and the ability of a determined individual to transcend religious and political barriers to leave an indelible mark on the political landscape of Old Town. His legacy will continue to inspire future leaders and politicians in the region.