MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu’s recent actions have ignited a firestorm of criticism, with accusations of deceit and political opportunism dominating discussions in Andhra Pradesh’s political circles. Once a loyalist of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who propelled him to victory in 2019, Lavu’s shift to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and his subsequent attacks on his former mentor have raised eyebrows and questions about his integrity. The most explosive charge? His role in spreading falsehoods about a liquor scam in the previous government, claims made in the hallowed halls of the Lok Sabha, while whispers of his own involvement in the Delhi liquor scam grow louder.
Lavu’s Family political odyssey
The Lavu family’s political journey is a tale of ambition, betrayal, and resilience. At its heart is Lavu Rattayya, Sri Krishna Devarayalu’s father, a man whose career has been defined by his staunch opposition to TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. The rift began in the 1990s when Naidu’s infamous “backstabbing” of NT Rama Rao (NTR), the TDP founder, split the party. Rattayya sided with NTR and later aligned with NTR’s widow, Nandamuri Lakshmi Parvathi, becoming a vocal critic of Naidu.
Rattayya’s political ambitions, however, met with repeated setbacks. He contested elections twice, once in 1996 from Bapatla under NTR TDP (LP) and again in 2009 from Malkajgiri on a Lok Satta ticket, only to taste defeat both times. Undeterred, he left his mark outside politics by founding Vignan educational institutions, which gained university status in 2008. Yet, Naidu’s return to power in 2014 brought fresh challenges, with Rattayya alleging that the TDP leader targeted Vignan out of political vendetta, a claim the Lavu family weathered with grit.
For years, Rattayya harbored a dream: to see his family represented in the state or national legislature. That dream remained elusive until 2019, when YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, riding a wave of popularity, handed Sri Krishna Devarayalu the YSRCP ticket for Narasaraopet. The gamble paid off, Lavu won, becoming an MP and fulfilling his father’s long-cherished ambition.
Turncoat twist
Fast forward to 2024, and the plot thickens. Ahead of the general elections, Sri Krishna Devarayalu made a stunning leap to the TDP, a party his father had opposed for decades. Political analysts attribute the switch to Naidu’s deft caste-based social engineering, a hallmark of TDP strategy. Lavu’s move paid dividends, he won again, this time as a TDP MP, bolstered by a coalition of half-a-dozen parties.
But the honeymoon was short-lived. Lavu soon began targeting YSRCP and Jagan, the very forces that had launched his parliamentary career. His most audacious claim? Alleging a liquor scam under the previous YSRCP regime, a charge he aired in the Lok Sabha without evidence, drawing sharp rebukes from critics. Political observers see it as a calculated move to curry favor with Naidu, whose camp Lavu now calls home.
Delhi liquor scandal shadows
The irony isn’t lost on anyone. Even as Lavu rails against a supposed Andhra liquor scam, allegations of his own involvement in the Delhi liquor scandal have surfaced. Sources claim he funneled investments into the controversial Delhi liquor policy through proxies, a revelation that has fueled accusations of hypocrisy. Critics argue that his baseless attacks on YSRCP are a smokescreen to deflect scrutiny from his own dealings.
“Lavu’s words in Parliament ring hollow when his own hands may not be clean,” says a political analyst from Tadepalli, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is opportunism dressed up as righteousness.”
A Legacy tarnished?
The Lavu family’s saga has taken a bitter turn. What began as a principled stand against Naidu by Rattayya has morphed into his son’s alignment with the same man, complete with mudslinging against former allies. In political circles, the consensus is scathing: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu’s flip-flop is a betrayal of the trust YS Jagan placed in him, a self-serving pivot that undermines his family’s legacy.
As the dust settles, one question lingers, will Lavu’s gamble secure his future, or has he traded loyalty for a fleeting shot at power? For now, the court of public opinion is in session, and the verdict looks unforgiving.
