P. Upendra

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We need your support to keep the flame of knowledge burning bright! Our hosting server bill is due on June 1st, and without your help, Bharatpedia faces the risk of shutdown. We've come a long way together in exploring and celebrating our rich heritage. Now, let's unite to ensure Bharatpedia continues to be a beacon of knowledge for generations to come. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Together, let's preserve and share the essence of Bharat.

Thank you for being part of the Bharatpedia family!
Please scan the QR code on the right to donate.

0%

   

transparency: ₹0 raised out of ₹100,000 (0 supporter)



Parvathaneni Upendra
Leader of the Opposition (India) and Cabinet Minister
ConstituencyVijayawada
Minister of Information and Broadcasting
In office
2 December 1989 – 10 November 1990
Preceded byH. K. L. Bhagat
Succeeded byChandra Shekhar
Personal details
Born(1936-07-14)14 July 1936
Pothunuru,
Died16 November 2009(2009-11-16) (aged 73)
Hyderabad, India
Political partyTelugu Desam Party
Other political
affiliations		National Front
Indian National Congress
Praja Rajyam Party
Spouse(s)
Parvathaneni Vasundhra Devi
​
(
m. 1956)
Children4

Parvathaneni Upendra (14 July 1936 – 16 November 2009) was a Telugu Desam Party Union Cabinet Minister from Andhra Pradesh in India. He was born in Pothunuru village in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.

Career[edit]

P. Upendra holds M. A. degree in English Literature, Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Journalism from Andhra University, University College, Madras and Indian Institute Public Administration, New Delhi.[1] He started as a journalist after graduation.

P. Upendra worked over two decades for Indian Railways as a Public Relations Officer before entering politics. He served as Personal Secretary to then Railways Minister Madhu Dandavate between 1977 and 1979.

In 1982, he joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by the film actor-turned-politician N. T. Rama Rao. He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1984 and continued as its member till 1996. He was the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha during the prime ministership of Rajiv Gandhi (1984–1989).

An articulate politician, Upendra enjoyed cordial relations with many senior political leaders, cutting across party lines, at the national level. This had helped him become convenor of the National Front in 1988.

Upendra was the general secretary of the National Front and was minister for information and broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs in V. P. Singh's cabinet.[2] He oversaw the various parliamentary procedures that were essential to the first coalition government in India. He was also responsible for enacting the Prasar Bharati Act 1990. Together with George Fernandes he attempted to negotiate with RSS chief Madhukar Deoras on the Rath Yathra of L. K. Advani, but this was unsuccessful.

He was expelled from the TDP in March 1992 following differences with N. Chandrababu Naidu. After exit, Upendra spent a couple of years as an "unattached" member in the Rajya Sabha before formally joining Congress in 1994. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Vijayawada in 1996 and re-elected in 1998.

P. Upendra, was more or less idle since 1999. He consistently maintained a stance opposing the Bharatiya Janata Party and parties like the TDP under Chandrababu Naidu that had allied with it.[3] He quit ruling Congress party in November 2008 to join the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) floated by actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi. While joining the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), he had said that the Congress leadership did not use his services either at the national level or in the state.[4]

Mr. Upendra was instrumental in getting the first escalator in South Central Railway at Vijayawada Junction railway station. He also got Doordarshan Kendra for the city and paved the way for the removal of the Satyanarayanapuram railway track.[5]

Upendra wrote a book Gatam Swagatam in two parts listing his political experience.

Personal life[edit]

Upendra married to Vasundhara in 1956. They had three sons and one daughter. His eldest son P.V K Mohan is the senior most member of National Shipping Board, second son P Sarat Kumar third son P. Vivekananda are part of Seaways Shipping Limited. His daughter Padmasri is married to former MP Lagadapati Rajagopal.

Death[edit]

Upendra died in Hyderabad on 16 November 2009 due to renal failure at the age of 73. He was on dialysis for five years following a kidney ailment.[6]

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu, PRP president Chiranjeevi and other leaders mourned his death.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Merinews
  2. ↑ "NEW INDIAN LEADER SWEARS IN CABINET". The New York Times. 6 December 1989. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  3. ↑ BJP fast losing friends, says Upendra, The Hindu, 3 Mar. 2002.
  4. ↑ P. Upendra joins Praja Rajyam Party
  5. ↑ "Upendra walked like a political colossus". The Hindu. 17 November 2009.
  6. ↑ "P. Upendra passes away". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 November 2009.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/index.php?title=P._Upendra&oldid=274477"