Telugu Desam Party (TDP) parliamentary party leader and industrialist Galla Jayadev announced on Sunday his decision to step away from politics and focus on his business ventures.
The Lok Sabha member from Guntur confirmed that he will not be contesting the upcoming elections, citing his desire to cease being a part-time politician. Jayadev, who serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of Amara Raja Batteries, emphasized that while his departure from politics is temporary, he intends to return with renewed vigor at a later time.
Addressing media representatives in Guntur, Jayadev elaborated on his decision, stating that he could no longer fulfill his duties as an MP amidst ongoing scrutiny from both state and Central governments. He highlighted the need to shift his focus back to his business endeavors, especially since his father, Ramachandra Naidu Galla, retired from business two years ago.
Despite his exit from active politics, Jayadev reminisced about his advocacy for special category status to Andhra Pradesh in Parliament. He recalled his role as a prominent voice for TDP during crucial parliamentary sessions, including when the party moved a no-confidence motion against the Central government.
Jayadev also mentioned facing interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on multiple occasions, with his business operations coming under close surveillance.
Having joined TDP alongside his mother, former minister Aruna Kumari, before the 2014 elections, Jayadev secured victory in the Lok Sabha polls from Guntur in both 2014 and 2019.
A graduate in politics and economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Jayadev is known for his familial ties to popular Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu. With declared assets totaling Rs 683 crore, he is recognized as one of the wealthiest MPs in the country.
