Indira Gandhi, known as the Iron Lady of India, took many historic decisions as Prime Minister. But, after the imposition of emergency, her reputation was damaged. In the next election (1977) the Congress party was defeated. Indira also contested from Rae Bareli and lost. For the first time, a non-Congress government came to power under the leadership of the Janata Party. But, it did not last long.
In 1980 there were midterm elections. Then the Congress leadership advised Indira to contest from Rae Bareli as well as another safe area.
As the influence of the Janata Party in the north is visible, the Congress leaders thought that they should contest with Indira from some constituency in the south.
Marri Chenna Reddy, who was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at that time, and other senior leaders suggested Indira to contest from Medak in Telangana region. Accepting their suggestion, Indira decided to contest from Medak.
Indira, who came to file nomination from Medak Lok Sabha, could not participate in the campaign. The Congress party entrusted that responsibility to Bagareddy, who was known as Indira’s confidant.
He had good attachment with Medak. He also had an experience as Chairman of Zilla Parishad. He resigned as a state minister to campaign for Indira. He said, it was morally wrong to participate in the Lok Sabha election campaign while being in the cabinet of the state government.
Jaipal Reddy vs Indira Gandhi
S. Jaipal Reddy contested against Indira Gandhi on behalf of the Janata Party in that election.
Shakuntala Devi, known as a mathematics genius and human computer, also contested from Medak as an independent candidate.
PV Narasimha Rao’s son PV Rajeshwarao Keshav Rao Jadhav also contested against Indira.
A total of 10 candidates contested the Medak election.
Indira Gandhi won the election with a majority of almost 2 lakhs votes.
Indira got 3,01,577 votes while Jaipal Reddy got 82,453 votes. Keshav Rao Jadhav got 26,149 votes. Shakunthaladevi lost the deposit by 6,514 votes.
In 1980 Lok Sabha by-elections, the Congress party won a huge victory. In the united Andhra Pradesh, Congress won 41 Lok Sabha seats out of 42 seats . Only Parvathipuram constituency went to Congress (U). Kishore Chandradev won from this constituency.
Congress won all 15 MP seats in Telangana region.
After the victory of the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, Indira Gandhi held a victory rally in Medak to thank the people.
Ordnance factory was started in Medak district during Indira’s reign.
