The curious case of TDP Rayadurg candidate Deepak Reddy has baffled many an observer, closely following the ongoing by-polls. The news that Deepak Reddy is the richest candidate not only in the state but also in the entire country as revealed by him through his election affidavit has created some sort of sensation.
Deepak Reddy disclosed that he and his family owns assets worth nearly Rs 6,800 crore. At a time when there is a heated debate going on in the state about illegal wealth accumulated by politicians, the TDP candidate’s new found riches were indeed some kind of a dampener to the party’s relentless fight against corruption.
However, a closer look at the affidavit submitted by Deepak Reddy shows that his actual assets were substantially less than his claims over huge properties under dispute. According to the affidavit, Deepak’s real assets – those actually registered in his name – are to the tune of Rs 22 crore only. The rest – a whopping Rs 6,781 crore were allegedly in various disputes, but still Deepak Reddy went ahead and included them in his list.
He claims ownership of more than half a dozen properties – all in acres – in centrally located Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. His claims also include valuable properties in Gopannapalli, Bandlaguda, Gudimalkapur, Rayadurg, Shaikpet etc. Deepak lays claims over 18 properties in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy district, which he is sure will be able to register in his name very soon.
Interestingly, Deepak Reddy and wife’s actual income is less than Rs 5.5 lakhs, though he owns a Benz and has deposits worth a few crores.
Rayadurg is one of the places where TDP had some hopes of winning. But the revealations about Deepak’s self-declared assets seem to have caused a bit of consternation among the voters, since he is not even a local.
Deepak is related to senior Congress leader from Anantapur J C Diwakar Reddy. Deepak married his brother J C Prabhakar Reddy’s daughter.
