Who Is V.R. Alaparthi? The Officer Wielding Influence in the AP Government!

Compared to the past, the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has witnessed several unusual developments this time. New trends have emerged, leaving even TDP leaders surprised. According to them, the changes taking place within both the party and the government are unlike anything seen before. One such development is the growing prominence of V.R. Alaparthi, the Executive Director of the Andhra Pradesh State Development Planning Society (APSDPS). His influence in the government has reportedly left not only IAS officers but also TDP leaders astonished. Many are unable to understand who he is and why he enjoys such significance within the government. Although his full name is Venkateswara Rao Alaparthi, he is widely known as V.R. Alaparthi. According to TDP circles, he claims to be very close not only to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu but also to Minister Nara Lokesh and members of their family. They allege that he has been using these claims to wield considerable influence over IAS officers and within the government.

                               He has also faced allegations of behaving in a manner that amounts to exercising authority over IAS officers on certain occasions. An IAS officer stated that, for any official work, Alaparthi invokes the names of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu or members of his family. According to government sources, Alaparthi is currently overseeing poverty eradication surveys as well as various programmes related to the P4 initiative. Officials also allege that there were large-scale irregularities in the recruitment of 175 MBA graduates—one for each Assembly constituency—to assess constituency-wise conditions. He is also facing allegations of large-scale misuse of public funds in connection with these activities.

Where Did His Career Begin?

Though he is now projecting himself as a management expert in the government, Alaparthi previously worked for the Ramoji Group, where he reportedly handled matters related to film production. TDP leaders claim that he was dismissed from the organisation following various allegations. Later, on the recommendation of a former TDP MP, he joined the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) as a contract employee. According to party leaders, he also faced action there following multiple allegations. He subsequently joined the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) in an outsourced position. Using the contacts he developed there, he allegedly obtained survey reports from various agencies and shared them with Chandrababu Naidu. Through this, he is said to have secured a place in Naidu's team and gradually gained significant influence within the government.

                                   Some TDP leaders also allege that information has, on certain occasions, leaked from within the system. They say that if the government leadership closely examines Alaparthi's activities, several facts could come to light. Interestingly, the Chandrababu Naidu government appointed V.R. Alaparthi as a member of the Joint Implementation Committee formed to strengthen cooperation between the Andhra Pradesh government and Singapore. Officials have reportedly expressed surprise over this appointment as well. IAS officers are said to believe that it is unusual for the Chief Minister to make such appointments while simultaneously claiming that the Singapore government is willing to cooperate with whatever proposals he puts forward.