Guntur, 29th January 2024: Mr. Jayadev Galla, the incumbent Member of Parliament from Guntur Lok Sabha constituency, Leader of the Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party and a senior leader of the Telugu Desam Party has today announced that he will not be contesting the upcoming 2024 general elections. He was elected twice as the Member of Parliament representing Guntur in the years 2014 and 2019.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to not contest in the upcoming 2024 general elections. I will be taking a break from politics to focus on diversifying the business which is at a crucial stage of leading the world in the transition to a more sustainable future. Amara Raja is moving from being a battery manufacturer to a comprehensive provider of Energy & Mobility solutions. As part of this, we are investing about Rs 9,500 Crs for the Amara Raja Giga Corridor, which will have one of the largest manufacturing facilities of lithium-ion batteries and also a state-of-the-art R&D center for research in Advanced Chemistry Cells. This move by Amara Raja will be a crucial enabler for the country’s transition towards clean and sustainable energy. I will however continue to serve and contribute to the country's growth as that is my guiding factor, both personally and professionally. I thank the people of Guntur for their love, affection and wholehearted trust over these years. I hope to come back stronger and represent them and their interests in a more impactful way.” said Mr. Jayadev Galla earlier today.
“If businessmen should be included in the political process, which is essential in my opinion, they need to have the freedom to express themselves and to take stands against the government of the day, without fear of reprisals and attacks on their business. How do you ensure law-abiding businesses are not exposed to harassment even if they don’t share the same political views? This is a question for which I’m still seeking the answers.” he said.
“In the developed world, business people are encouraged to be part of the political administration as they can play an important part in helping people take charge of their economic destinies. Unfortunately, in our context, this means constant fear of reprisals and vendettas. To start and run a business, one has to get more than 70 approvals from various Local, State and Central Agencies which include Pollution Control Board, Water Department, Forests Department, Electricity Board, Labour, Revenue, Fire and many others. Each of these agencies can be weaponized by the party in power.” Mr. Galla added.
Mr. Galla is the grandson of freedom fighter, parliamentarian, and social reformer Shri Paturi Rajagopal Naidu. His mother is a four-time MLA and Minister Smt. Aruna Kumari Galla, and his father, Shri. Ramachandra Naidu Galla is the Founder of the Amara Raja Group of companies. Mr. Jayadev Galla entered politics at the age of 48, after leading the business conglomerate to great heights of success for almost 25 years in 2014.
Mr. Galla has been a part of various parliamentary committees over the past 10 years including the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Commerce, External Affairs, Defence, and Information Technology. Many of his recommendations have been accepted and implemented as policy. He has vociferously fought for AP’s capital city Amravati and was a key member of the city’s planning committee. He has also led the fight for special category status of AP and was instrumental in a no-confidence motion against then Prime Minister.
He has always strived to keep his business and political interests apart, even in the face of increased targeting by the state and central governments over the last few years. As for the cases, the company is following legal due course without politicizing the matter. Amara Raja is one of the leading battery manufacturers in the country and operates world-class, Sustainability award winning plants that are one of the largest employers in South India
today, contributing Rs.1,200 crores to the state and Rs.3,800 crore to the center in taxes alone.
Mr. Galla expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Shri. Chandrababu Naidu, Shri. Nara Lokesh, TDP leadership, cadre and to the people of Guntur for their support, encouragement and guidance. “I have served the people and the party faithfully for 10 years. While I may be stepping away from politics, I will not be sleeping. I will continue to contribute to my state and country, as a businessman, by investing, innovating, and creating employment opportunities, revenue, and wealth for the nation. When I can devote my full time to politics and be the type of representative that I want to be and that people deserve, just like Rama’s return after his 14 years of vanavasam, I will come back stronger.” Mr. Galla said.
Over the last 10 years as a Member of Parliament, Mr. Galla has spearheaded many initiatives and development activities in Guntur.
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