G. Vivek, continuing his father’s legacy

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy congratulates G. Vivek in Hyderabad on Sunday. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma is also present. | Photo Credit: ANI

HYDERABAD

The younger son of prominent Congress leader and former Union Minister Gaddam Venkatswamy, popularly known as “Kaka”, Vivek Venkatswamy was elected from the Chennur (SC) Assembly constituency in Mancherial district as a Congress candidate in 2023.

He studied in Hyderabad Public School and did his MBBS at Osmania Medical College.

Mr. Vivek’s political career began with victory in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Peddapalli. During his term in the 15th Lok Sabha (2009–2014), he served in Parliamentary Standing Committees on Coal and Steel. He later served as Adviser to the Government of Telangana on Inter-State Relations.

A committed activist during the statehood movement, Mr. Vivek leveraged his position as an MP to advocate for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. He played a key role in mobilising Congress MPs in support of the demand, thereby contributing to the creation of Telangana.

Before re-joining Congress in 2023, he was associated with BRS and BJP. His son, Vamshi Krishna, also joined the Congress and won from the Peddapalli Lok Sabha constituency in 2024.

Mr. Vivek’s wife, G. Saroja, has also been involved in public affairs. His brother, Gaddam Vinod, is currently serving as the Bellampalli MLA.

Mr. Vivek also runs a news channel and a Telugu daily. He had a long association with the Hyderabad Cricket Association.

Published - June 08, 2025 09:05 pm IST