Speculation is growing that HYDRA Commissioner A V Ranganath may be planning a political entry and could contest a Lok Sabha seat from the Godavari region.
His recent meetings with political leaders have added fuel to the buzz. Ranganath recently attended a Munnuru Kapu gathering in Hyderabad, where TDP MP Sana Satish, MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, BJP leader K Laxman and others were present.
He has also attended similar community events in the past, triggering criticism over whether a senior official should take part in caste-based gatherings while holding an important government post.
There was also criticism over Ranganath’s handling of allegations related to land said to be connected to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Critics alleged that he took a different stand in that matter compared with other cases.
Ranganath had also met Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan in Mangalagiri for nearly two hours around 10 months ago. That meeting is now being recalled amid fresh speculation about his political plans.
Political circles are discussing the possibility of Ranganath contesting a Lok Sabha seat from one of the Godavari districts on a Jana Sena ticket.
His frequent meetings with alliance leaders and community figures are being seen by some as part of that groundwork.
However, there is no official confirmation from either Ranganath or Jana Sena.
Still, the possibility cannot be ruled out, as several IAS and IPS officers have entered politics in the past and gone on to contest elections.
