At 10, Bandi Ramakrishna had to drop out from school to eke out a livelihood. The 55-year-old chaiwallah turned entrepreneur is now contesting for the Machilipatnam Assembly seat on the Jana Sena Party ticket against two rivals who hail from politically sound families.
Mr. Ramakrishna, known as RK, would be challenging Law Minister Kollu Ravindra (TDP) and former MLA Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani) (YSRCP).
Mr. Ravindra, who served five portfolios in the Cabinet (2014-19), is the son-in-law of former Minister Nadakuditi Narasimha Rao while Mr. Nani is the son of former Machilipatnam MLA Perni Krishna Murthy.
“I remember my days when I had to work to earn ₹10 a day. I’m not in the fray to do politics with my rivals. I do not hesitate to serve tea and clean the glass served to people from any community. I have treated every customer equally and continue to do so in the politics too,” said Mr. RK.
Beginning his career as canteen owner in the Hindu college here in the 1980s, he had risen to become a successful entrepreneur by setting up a few hotels with the brand RK.“I do not know anything in depth about the education sector. However, I wanted to come out with an educational institution and thus RK college came into being in Machilipatnam, offering standard education on par with any other corporate group.”
‘No mudslinging’
Mr. Ramakrishna, known for his down-to-earth attitude, could mostly be spotted working with his workers in his restaurants round the year.
“I have determined not to resort to mudslinging on any of my rivals. I want to spare my time to engage with society, playing a role in developing the port town,” said Mr. R.K, the first Assembly candidate to be officially declared by the JSP in the district.
