Shri Balram Naik Porika is an Indian politician associated with the Indian National Congress, representing the Mahabubabad constituency in Telangana. Here’s a comprehensive overview of his life, education, and political career:
Early Life and Education
- Birth: Balram Naik Porika was born in Madanapalli, Warangal district, Telangana. He hails from the Banjara community, which is classified under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
- Education: He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Andhra University, which laid the foundation for his future endeavors in both business and politics.
Career Before Politics
- Prior to his entry into politics, Porika worked as a police constable and later ventured into the real estate business. His diverse experiences contributed to his understanding of public service and governance.
Political Career
- Entry into Politics: Porika entered the political arena in 2009. He successfully contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, securing a significant victory with approximately 3.9 lakh votes.
- Ministerial Role: He served as the Minister of State in the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from 2012 to 2014, during which he was part of the Committee on Labour.
- Subsequent Elections:
- In the 2014 elections, he faced a setback, receiving 2.8 lakh votes while the BRS candidate won with 3.2 lakh votes.
- He contested again in 2019, improving his performance to 3.5 lakh votes, but was again defeated by the BRS candidate, who secured 4.6 lakh votes.
- Disqualification: In 2021, the Election Commission of India disqualified Porika from contesting elections for three years due to allegations related to his failure to submit election expense details during the 2019 polls. He claimed to have submitted all necessary documents.
- Recent Developments: Porika was recently nominated again by the Congress to contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Mahabubabad, marking his return to active politics.
Constituency Dynamics
The Mahabubabad constituency is notable for being reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs). It was established after the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies in 2008 and has a significant ST voter base, comprising over 36.7% of the population as per the 2011 census.
Conclusion
Shri Balram Naik Porika’s journey reflects a blend of public service, electoral challenges, and resilience. His background and experiences shape his approach to politics, particularly in representing the interests of the Scheduled Tribes in Telangana.