N,G,Ranga(1900-1995) critical profile

POLITICS WITHOUT POWER

A Study on N.G.Ranga

Outstanding personalities like M K Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narayan influenced Indian society without entering into power corridors. Though not to that extent, Professor N.G.Ranga emerged in Indian political scene before independence and continued his impact in post independence era.

This is a special study of that peasant leader from several angles.

Ranga was born in 1900 in Nidubrolu, a village in Guntur district. His parents Nagaiah, Atchamamba hail from a middle class agricultural family. The school education of Ranga was completed in his village and neighbor village Ponnur. He completed his matriculation and went straight to England for higher education.

During school days Ranga was exposed to the reformist literature of Kandukuri Veeresalingam, and Tripuraneni Ramaswami. The non -Brahmin movement was rampant and Ranga attended a couple of meetings and conferences of non Brahmin, and Kamma conventions. At that juncture Andhra was under Madras state. Justice party emerged against congress party and propagated for non Brahmin rule both in administration and temples. Ranga developed a flair for writing and he attempted a small book on Rani Rudramadevi. He read out the script to villagers, which was applauded.

By the time Ranga left for England the congress party was under the influence of Gandhi. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, another prominent leader in congress died and hence Gandhi was unopposed in congress party.

Ranga in Oxford:

N G Ranga traveled by ship and reached England in November 1920. He had to habituate himself for non vegetarian food. Since he was only a matriculate, he was asked to learn a second foreign language to qualify for admission in Oxford. Hence Ranga went to Germany and obtained a certificate after learning a few words and sentences! Mr. Velagapudi Ramakrishna (later ICS officer), Mr. Lingam Veerabhadraiah choudary (later income tax officer), Mr. Vasireddi Srikrishna (later vice chancellor of Andhra University) Mr. Murahari and Bhaskararao were there to give company. While studying in Oxford Ranga also had briefly visited Italy, France and Germany where he observed the agricultural conditions. He acquainted himself with J J Malen, G D H Cole, Brails ford, Wilkinson, Palmi dutt, clement dutt and J A Thod.

 Ranga was impressed with socialist movements of England and Europe. He also studied Marxism. Later Ranga attempted a book titled ‘Ranga and Marxism’ but it was not traced.

After returning from UK he married Bharati Devi. She was a matriculate and accompanied him in all his tours and political journeys.

Ranga contributed articles in the magazine COMRADE which drew the attention of Gandhi. Ranga met Gandhi a couple of times during his tenure of employment in Madras and observed the conditions of agriculture, labour and hand looms.

By the time Ranga returned to India, Madras state was under the rule of Justice Party. Ranga joined Pachayappa College in Madras which was managed by Justice Party. Then Ranga was appointed as adviser of state government on economic affairs and was an officer. In that capacity Ranga studied the conditions of peasants in Nilgiri and other places. Though Congress party was fighting for freedom, Ranga remained as an observer until 1930.

 He enrolled himself as a member of Congress party in 1930 after resigning to the posts of college lecturer and state advisor. He started wearing Khaddar and Gandhian cap.

During Madras days Ranga got close to Gudavalli Ramabrahmam, the writer, cine producer and editor of Prajamitra journal. Ramabrahmam produced reformist movies like Rytubidda, Malapilla during late 1930. And Ranga was impressed by them.

With that, the name of Ranga was popular among peasants in Andhra. Oxford education was added prestige in those days. Ranga also founded All India Adult Education Institution and became its vice chairman in 1926 to 30.

For the first time Ranga was elected to the central legislature at Delhi in 1930.The vacancy arose due to the resignation of Tanguturi Prakasam. In those days the voters were limited and confined to tax payers whose number is much less. Once plunged into congress party, Ranga was very active and emerged as an all India figure. He came close to leaders of all parties.From 1930 till 1991 Ranga was either in Lok Sabha or Rajya sabha. He was in Guinness book as parliamentarian with long innings. Though defeated to Lok Sabha a couple of times, immediately he could go to Rajya Sabha.

At home Ranga was helped by his elder brother Mr. Venkatappaiah who looked after agricultural lands and domestic affairs. His younger brother Mr. Lakshminarayana studied law but remained in politics to help Ranga in district and state level. Ranga had no children and he was relatively free from domestic affairs.

During 1930s Unnava Lakshminarayana published the Telugu novel ‘Malapalli’ which is quite an eye opener. Similarly Ranga wrote ‘Harijan Nayakudu’ which elevates the untouchable community on par with upper caste people. The hero Lingaiah worked for the welfare of his community and at the same time fought against discrimination based on caste.

After joining Congress party Ranga was very active politically both at centre and state level. He invited Gandhi in 1933 to inaugurate a political school for peasants, workers and artisans, the first school started in Nidubrolu, the native place of Ranga. Since then every year political educational schools were conducted at several places in Andhra. Distinguished politicians, economists and public workers addressed the schools. Syllabus was prepared by Ranga and few others covering vast scope of rural economics, agriculture, political movements and artisans. Peddireddi Timmareddi, P.Rajagopalanaidu, Kandula Obula Reddi, Chegireddi Balireddi, N.Vijayaraja Kumar, Sunkara Satyanarayana, Gorrepati Venkatasubbaiah, G. Lakshminarayana, Gouthu Latchanna, Muniratnam, and galaxy of others participated. These schools continued until 1953 annually spreading through out Andhra, Rayalaseema areas. Mostly, they were held in summer so that peasants could attend and participate. Even during prison days Ranga continued political classes to retinues in the jail. Even communists like Makineni Basavapunnaiah attended Ranga`s political classes. But during those days communists were camouflaged within congress and they came out only later. Indulal Yagnik, Jayaprakash Narayan, Pattabhi Sitaramaiah, addressed political classes. Thus Ranga has become the pioneer in rural political training classes.

Political schools for peasants:

The first political school was inaugurated by Gandhi on 23 December 1933.It was named after Ramanaidu. Simultaneously a library also was opened.

Training classes commenced on 12 April 1934 under the principal ship of Ranga. His brother Lakshminarayana taught in the school. K.Santanam, editor of Indian Express , inaugurated and Konda Venkatappaiah, congress leader presided. It ran for 30 days. Students and peasants from 6 districts actively attended.

Again on 17 April 1935 second year classes were held at the same place with 35 students.

Third year classes started on 15 May 1936 which was inaugurated by Ayyadevara Kaleswararao, congress leader.40 students attended.

Fourth year classes started on 1 May in 1937.Mr Kandula Obul Reddi, leader from Rayalaseema and Sadasivan conducted the classes.45 students participated.

During 1939 Rayalaseema peasant training classes were held on 20 Dec. 1937 in Giddalur. Bharati Devi presided over and Kandula Obul reddi was the principal.60 students participated. In Madanapalli school was held under the presidentship of Nyapati Narayana murthy. 75 students attended from 1 may 1938 for 30 days.

In May 1939 school was conducted in Tunikipad of Krishna district for 30 days and students from Telengana also came.

On 9 April 1940 School was conducted in Idupulapadu village of Bapatla taluq.Gouthu Latchanna inaugurated and Kandula Obul Reddi presided over. Drill classes were introduced.

Political school was held at Chennur in 1941 with Ratakonda Narasimhareddi as principal.

During 1945 May again a school was conducted in Nidubrolu and Ranga was present.

During summer of 1946 a school was held in Avanigadda of Krishna district. In 1947 a school was held in Sivagiri near Diguvamagam of Chittoor district. In 1947 training classes were conducted in Palasa of Srikakulam district with drill classes. In 1948 another school was held in Chilakaluripet, Khammam and Bezwada.

During 1952 big political school was conducted Challapalli of Krishna district. In 1953 another school was held in Tiruttani and in 1954 one more school was conducted in Nidubrolu. In all these classes Ranga was present or his syllabus was discussed.

Malcolm Adiseshaiah, J C Kumarappa, Ajay Kumar Ghosh, Unnava Lakshminarayana, Ferang Nagi, K T Shah, Dimitrov and others lectured.

Ranga participated in round table conference meetings and All India Congress annual meetings. He came close to Subhas Chandra Bose during the fight between Gandhi and Subhas. Ranga stood for Bose and thus paved the way for Gandhi to support his own people in Andhra Politics. That is how Pattabhi Sitaramaiah came closer to Gandhi.

In the factional politics of Andhra there was always bitter fight between Ranga followers and Pattabhi followers. Though Ranga was away most of the time from Andhra, his followers dragged his name and the bitter fight went on.

The factional fights in Andhra commenced when Ranga sought election to central legislature. Bulusu Sambamurthi campaigned against Ranga exposing his connections with Justice Party and anti-Brahmin stance.

Ranga underwent jail six times during freedom movement. First time in 1931 he, along with his wife Bharati Devi , was arrested in freedom fight.

Ranga also started his own political journal Vahini in Telugu in 1937. Several persons edited it periodically commencing with Nyapathi Narayana Murthy. Ranga contributed several articles and pen portraits in the weekly. Ranga wrote pen portraits of 110 persons under the title Distinguished acquaintances. Several persons were described by Ranga in a hearty way. The Telugu translation of this book was published by Telugu Academy.

During late 1960 the weekly was stopped. Ranga wrote pen portraits about many of his followers and admirers in the weekly.

Ranga was the president of Congress party in Andhra from 1946 to 51. The factionalism was rampant in the congress circles. Kalluri Chandra Mouli, Neelam Sanjiva reddi, Kala Venkatarao, Manthena Venkataraju, Alapati venkataramaiah and several others were against Ranga group.

Gouthu Latchanna from Srikakulam district was solid supporter of Ranga in all factional fights. Similarly Kandula Obul Reddi, P Rajagopala naidu, P.Thimmareddi, Chegireddi Balireddi, N V Naidu, Nirukonda Ramarao, Ravi Satyanarayana and others stood by Ranga. Of course Ranga`s brother Mr.Lakshminarayana was the kingpin in all those factional fights. These things went on until first national elections in 1951.

Ranga continued his efforts in other fields since 1930 and participated in several international delegations, addressed conferences and meetings. He called President of USA, Mr. Truman, during 1948 in Washington DC on behalf of world peasants association. He toured extensively in Europe, Soviet Union and USA. Ranga continued to write both in English and Telugu, covering various topics.

Ranga was in Constituent committee from 1946 and contributed his ideas. He proposed the name of Mr. B.R.Ambedkar to the chairmanship of Constituent assembly.

Ranga continued in Congress party until 1951. During 1951, Ranga and Sanjivareddi fought for the president ship of Andhra congress. Ranga was defeated narrowly. Due to faction fights, one section of congress went to court and obtained injunction, stopping the participation of delegates from Guntur district. In that district the majority were supporters of Ranga. Then in the last moment some prominent kamma congress persons like Anjaiah Anne and Kakani Venkataratnam defected to the opposite group. That led to the defeat of Ranga. After defeat Ranga along with his large followers resigned to the congress party. Thus the first national elections were fought while Ranga went to opposition party. That was big turning point in his political career.

RANGA IN OPPOSITION:

The  nation faced first general elections in 1951. By that time Ranga was defeated as president of Congress party of Andhra. Then Ranga resigned to the congress party blaming anti-peasant policies of Jawaharlal Nehru. By that time prominent leaders Jayaprakash narayan, Ajit Prasad Jain, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Tanguturi Prakasam, Kripalani, left congress. They all met in Patna of Bihar state and formed opposition party called Kisan Mazdoor party. Ranga joined initially but left soon when the party gave leadership to T.Prakasam. Ranga gave the pretext of not giving importance Kisans and came out. He then formed Krishikar Lok Party.

The first general elections gave a jolt to several opposition leaders including N. G. Ranga, T.Prakasam, B. R. Ambedkar etc.  Nehru emerged as national leader with Congress party. But in Madras state communists gained substantial seats and claimed power. Prakasm joined hands with communists to form ministry. Ranga opposed communists. Rajagopalachari was brought into field to undo the strategy of communists. With the support of N. G. Ranga Congress formed ministry in 1952.

Krishikar Lok party gained seats in Srikakulam, Vizag, Chittoor and East Godavari districts. But they did not join the ministry.

Ranga was elected to Rajya Sabha.

Agitation for Andhra continued. Potti Sriramulu demanded Madras city for Andhra and went on indefinite fast and lost his life after 58 days. Andhra formation was declared but Madras is not given. Then came the question of capital city of Andhra. Ranga opted for Tirupati-Chandragiri saying that the zamindar building can be utilized immediately. But finally Kurnool was decided as capital. The High court was set up at Guntur.

Prakasam defected again, came out of communist fold and accepted to be the first chief minister of Andhra. Krishikar lok party also joined the ministry. Ranga once again saw that communists did not occupy power.

But the congress ministry lost confidence soon and by- elections came in Andhra. Once again communists fought vigorously to gain power. They described as Rangula Ranga means he changes colors often.Ranga joined hands with his rivals like Neelam Sanjivareddi, T Prakasam and socialists as joint congress front. The campaign of Ranga was virulent. Ranga toured in a whirlwind campaign along with his loyal followers like Veerachari, Sunkara Satyanarayana, N Vijayaraja Kumar and opposed communists tooth and nail. Communists lost the power by gaining only 15 seats. The credit goes to Ranga.

The ministry was formed in Kurnool with Bezwada Gopalareddi as chief minister and Krishikar Lok party joined in it. The fight for congress leadership once again took place between Ranga and Alluri Satyanarayana raju. Ranga lost.

Once again Ranga was disillusioned and left congress.

Swatantra Party:

C.Rajagopalachari emerged as champion of peasants and anti Hindi policy. He vigorously campaigned against congress party and Jawaharlal. Then Ranga was invited to take up the president ship of Swatantra party. Ranga accepted and all his followers joined with him. In the state assembly of Andhra Pradesh Swatantra party emerged as main opposition party. Initially Dr Marri Chennareddi joined the party and supported Ranga but later he backed out and went to Congress party. Swatantra party attracted business community, upper classes and traders. It remained in that position for a decade. Gradually Ranga drifted. Rajagopalachari called him as Bolshevik and M R Masani emerged as strong leader in Swatarnta party.

During 1971 elections, Ranga contested against congress but lost. Then he decided to leave Swatantra party and join Congress. By that time Indira Gandhi was a powerful leader in Congress. Several followers of Ranga refused to join him but Ranga joined hands with Indira Gandhi. He went to the extent of supporting blindly, the dictatorial policies of Indira Gandhi including her suspending constitutional rights of freedom and liberty. She declared emergency and Ranga supported it.

The admirers and followers of Ranga collected money and bought a house in Hyderabad and donated that to Ranga as a token of their appreciation for his services. It was registered under public trust for activities. Gradually the kith and kin of Ranga converted Ranga Bhavan as private trust and misused that. Ranga approved the conversion of public trust into private trust by applying to the chief minister N.T. Ramarao and obtained legal permission.

Afterwords, Ranga remained in Parliament until 1991 when he was defeated by Telugu Desam for Lok Sabha.

The Agricultal University at Hyderabad was named after N. G. Ranga as a token of his services to agricultural community.

International tours

Ranga toured extensively in the international field throughout his political career.

1948 - Participated in International conference of labour in San Francisco, USA

1949- Ranga met President Truman of USA in Washington DC on behalf of international agriculture community.

In 1957 Ranga addressed agricultural conference in Bulgaria.

WRITINGS OF N.G.RANGA:

1. The modern Indian peasant by N. G. Ranga  - 1988)

2. Distinguished acquaintances by N. G Ranga  - 1976)

3. Self-Employed Peasants and Tribal People , 1983)

4. Self-employed peasants and tribal people: A saga of Rangajis life-long fight for the protection and welfare of agricultural toilers and tribal people by N. G Ranga

5. Credo of World Peasantry by N.G. Ranga  

6. Economic programme of Kisan Congress by N. G Ranga - 1939)

7. Bapu blesses by N. G Ranga  - 1969)

8. The economics of handloom: (Being a study of the social and economic conditions of handloom weavers of South India.) (Andhra economic series) by N. G Ranga

9. Economic organisation of Indian villages (Andhra economic series) by N.G Ranga

10. Swatantra alternative to third plan: Speeches in Parliament by N. G Ranga - 1963)

11. Revolutionary peasants by N. G Ranga (- 1949)

12. N.G. Ranga (Indian freedom fighters: struggle for independence) by N. G Ranga

13. Fight for freedom: Autobiography of N.G. Ranga

Biography - Ranga Nayakulu, Nagaiah Gogineni

· N. G. Ranga   was awarded Padma Vibhushan by the President of India in 1991.

            

· A commemorative postage stamp was released by Government of India in 2001.

· The N.G. Ranga Farmer Award for Diversified Agriculture was instituted by the Indian

             Council of Agricultural Research in 2001.

· His name found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as a Parliamentarian with fifty years of service.

· Agricultural University of Andhra Pradesh is named in his honour and memory as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University.

Political career

Lok Sabha	Period	Constituency	Party
2nd Lok Sabha	1957-1962	Tenali	Congress Party
3rd Lok Sabha	1962-1967	Chittoor	Swatantra Party
4th Lok Sabha	1967-1970	Srikakulam	Swatantra Party
7th Lok Sabha	1980-1984	Guntur	Congress (I)
8th Lok Sabha	1984-1989	Guntur	Congress (I)
9th Lok Sabha	1989-1991	Guntur	Congress (I)

Ranga was one of the founders of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers. He represented India at the Food and Agriculture Organization (Copenhagen) in 1946, the International Labour Organization (San Francisco) in 1948, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (Ottawa) in 1952, the International Peasant Union (New York) in 1954 and the Asian Congress for World Government (Tokyo) in 1955.

Who are Ranga’s admirers :

Professor N G Ranga during his long political life gained innumerable admirers, followers, disciples whose number is very long. It is not easy to name all of them. Ranga himself wrote pen portraits of some of them in Vahini weekly and published a book .These distinguished portraits were published in English and Telugu too. Here is a partial list.

Ferang Nagi, Dimitrov, Dr Swaminathan, Dr Y.Nayudamma, Justice Pandurangarao, Justice P A Choudary, Dadubhai Amin, Uddamsingh Nagoki, Avula Gopalakrishna Murthy, Guttikonda Narahari, Pavuluri srimannarayana, S.V.Pantulu, Bandlamudi subbarao, Narravula subbarao, N.Vijayaraja kumar, Nagineni Venkaiah, Gorrepati Venkatasubbaiah, Nyapati Narayana Murthy, Gogineni Umameswararao, Gutlapalli Subbarao, Sudangunta Venkateswarlu, Pasupuleti Koteswararao,N.Veerachari, Sunkara Satyanarayana, K.Rosaiah, Yadlapati Venkatarao, R C H Manoharam, Kosaraju Ammaiah, Kavuri Venkaiah, Yelavarthi Sriramulu, Pavuluri Srimannarayana, P.Rajagopalanaidu, Kandula Obul Reddi, Peddireddi Thimmareddi, Chegireddi Balireddi, Neerukonda Ramarao, Gouthu Latchanna, Dr K.Sadasivarao, N.V.Naidu, Bhisetti Apparao, col Apparao, Nannapaneni Venkatasubbaiah, K.V Subbaiah, B S R Krishna, Daruvuri Veeraiah,Dr Yelamanchali Sivaji, Dr Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, Gorada Parandhamaiah, Tummala Sitaramamurthy, Kondaviti Venkatakavi, Ravipati Mahananda, Kalluri Veeriah, Dhanekula Narasimham,B.V.Sivaiah, Kandimalla Butchaiah,Agarala Eswara Reddi .G.Muniratnam,Vaddempudi Hanumantharao, Vegunta Kanaka Ramabrahmam, Chigurupati Krishnarao, Vadde Sobhanadriswararao,Tripurana Raghavadas, Dr Basavapunnaiah.Pullela Rattaiah. Parvathaneni Veeraiah, Velagapudi Ramakrishna, Limgam Veerabhadraiah choudary, Mandava Sriramamurthy,Pragada Kotaiah, Akkala Kotaiah,Divi Kondaiah, Dr M.Channareddi,Chittur Nagaiah, Pullela Syamasundararao,Chigurupati Krishnarao,Nellor Venkataramanaidu,Ramabrahmam Gudavalli,Charan Singh, C.Rajagopalachari, Bezwada Ramachandrareddi, Khasa Subbarao, Duggirala Balaramakrishnaiah,Suryadevara Rajyalakshmi Devi.C.Narayanareddi, Bapureddi,Velagapudi Ramakrishna, Settipalli,Goli Seshaiah,Kotta Satyanarayana, Kolla Srikrishnarao, Jasti jagannadham, V.L.sundararao.

WHAT RANGA STANDS FOR :  

Throughout his political career Professor Ranga stood for peasants, their self respect, right of their property and economic freedom. Before removing peasants from their agricultural lands, alternative employment source should be provided so that they can sustain and live with dignity. All agrarian reforms should be conducive to the agriculturists. Distribution of national wealth and income should be rationalized in such a way that the agriculturists are not exploited with unequal distribution. There should be parity in the evaluation of the services rendered by farmers and other sectors. Co-operative farming and collective cultivation under state supervision will lead to dictatorship.Ranga opposed such coercive reforms which curb the freedom and dignity of peasants.

Agriculturist is at the center of Ranga’s political, economic philosophy. He calls it Peasant (Kisan) worker (cooli) artisan (kalakar) kingdom (rajya).
 

(  My acquaintance with N G Ranga

I know Ranga ji since 1951. My father Narisetti Rajaiah and my brother Vijayaraja kumar are followers of Ranga in politics. Thus I came to know him.He visited couple of times my village Patareddi palem and Chebrolu where I could see him closely. When Ranga started Krishikar Lok Party my brother Vijayaraja kumar took active part in it. My father took him for the first time to Challapalli, in Krishan district where the political school was organized during 1952. My brother joined the party and became organizing secretary. His speech in the political school attracted Ranga ji and others. Since then he was star speaker in the party. Later the party organized its first conference at Tenali. I attended it and saw the deliberations, speeches of leaders and met lots of people. Mr S V Pantulu, K.Rosaiah ( later became chief minister) Mr Narravula Subbarao, Ms R C H Manoharam, J S R Krishna, Vasireddi Satyanarayana were there whom I came into contact. Ranga started Vidyathi Sammelan ( Student wing of the party) . RCH Manoharam wished to become its president but R,Mr Y R K Reddiangaji advised her not to go for such positions since it involves lot of public exposure.

I never involved in Ranga`s political parties nor indulged in his political activity.

In the bye elections held in 1952 Krishikar Lok party contested against congress in Duggirala constituency near Tenali and lost. At that time I toured to have first hand knowledge of election propaganda. I met Ranga ji couple of times at that time. He used to encourage party workers. But I was never joined party but remained onlooker and observer.

There was assembly election in Martur, in Guntur district where Mr  B V Sivaiah from Narakodur contested and won. Rangan canvassed vigorously and I went round places to observe and met Ranga couple of times.That is experience.

I joined in A C College in Guntur as intermediate student in 1953 and there was lot of exposure with politics, public meetings, agitations, public leaders. Ranga and his followers were frequent visitors and I observed them rather closely. I started writing in Prajavani weekly and commented on Ranga ji`s politics. Mr B S R Krishna, Mr Vasireddi Satyanarayana, Mr Daruvuri Veeriah are the active commentators. When Daruvuri Veeraiah started Yuva Karshak organization for peasant youth, I was the secretary of the organization. But I left it after short duration. Gouthu Latchanna, Kandula Obul Reddi, P.Rajagopal Naidu, kalluri Veeriah, Yedlapati Venkatarao, Veerachari, K.Rosaiah, Sunkara Satyanarayana, and several others were active as followers of Ranga. I gained much experience with their company. During that time I met Ranga several times and read much of his writings both in English and Telugu. I also followed his writings in Vahini weekly. I met his wife Bharati Devi and his brothers Gogineni lakshminarayana, Venkatappaiah and  their off spring.

I visited couple of times the native village of Ranga in Nidubrolu and had food in their residence. Then I come across Govada Parandhamaiah from Machavaram who became legislator.

In separate Andhra agitation and during the fight for political capital of new Andhra state , I observed politics with curiosity. Ranga opted Tirupati for capital. Ultimately it was decided in Kurnool. I visited Kurnool couple of times where I met Ranga. He contested for the leadership of the joint congress party and lost.

There was big election campaign during 1955 election in which Ranga was the hero. I followed his speeches. Mr Daruvuri Veeraiah reported his speeches regularly. Ranga campaigned against communists and became instrument to defeat them. My brother Vijayaraja Kumar was vigorous campaigner during those elections. I observed the constitutency of Jagarlamudi Chandra Mouli in Ammanabrolu.

Ranga was ridiculed by Mr Narla Venkateswararao in Andhra Prabha and put his full name as Gogineni Ranganayakulu. The followers protested but Narla did not budge. Communists attacked Ranga saying that he changed colors frequently. Despite all this Ranga stood triumphant.

After the elections Ranga came out of Congress and joined hands with Rajagopalachari to form National political Party called Swatantra. I observed the formation of the party from the beginning and came with close acquaintance with Bezwada Ramachandra redid and Rajagopalachari. I also reported their meetings from Bapatla to Bobbili where Ranga was along with Rajagopalachari was key speaker.

In 1956 my brother Vijayaraja kumar married Kanya Kumari and function was held in Saraswati mahal, Guntur. Prof N G Ranga was the chief guest in the ceremony where Mr Avula Gopalakrishna Murthy performed the wedding in a secular way. His speech at that time was master piece. Mr Kotha Raghuramaiah was another important person who blessed the marriage.

In 1960 I was in Sangareddi where my sister was working. Then I received a postcard from Ranga asking me to join as his personal assistant. I went and sought the advice of Mr Avula Gopalakrishna murthy at Tenali who welcomed the idea and advised me to join. Thus I became personal assistant of Ranga and worked with him for two years. It was great experience. I toured with him throughout India and met many people in various states. 

After two years I left the job and went back to persue my education. I joined Osmania University where I completed my M A with philosophy and did my Ph.D with the topic Philosophical consequences of Modern Science.

But I kept in touch the politics and writings of N G Ranga.I liked his book: Fight for Freedom which is autobiographical and franck. He was very critical of Jawaharlal Nehru.

But soon he was disillusioned with Swatantra party and rejoined congress party. For a short period he was critical with the administration of Indira Ganghi. In 1972 Ranga was defeated in the Lok Sabha elections. Immediately after the election he joined congress party along with his loyal followers. Many followers refused to join with him.

Prime minister Indira Gandhi declared emergency in the country and suspended the consitutuional rights of free expression . Ranga supported her and followed her leadership blindly.Since then he remained loyal to the party and was elected to Lok Sabha.

The admirers and followers of Ranga collected money and bought a house in Himayat nagar, Hyderabad as a gift to his services to the country, particularly to the peasant community. The building was kept under public trust. After some gap, the kith and kin of Ranga planned to convert the public trust into a private one. Mr N T Ramarao was the state chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Ranga sent the papers for the approval of N T Ramarao . Out of regard to Ranga the chief Minister N T Ramarao signed and the public trust was converted into private one. Mr Nageswararao, son of Ranga`s younger brother took control of the Ranga Bhavan. The misuse of public trust was total and complete.

In the last of days of Ranga, I interviewed him on Doordarshan of Hyderabad which was telecasted in early 1990s.

I wrote critical appraisal of Ranga in my articles. His admirers did not like my approach. Ranga was in Pachayappa`s college as economics lecturer as soon as returned from Oxford during late 1920s. That college was under the management of Dravida Khazagam which is anti brahminical in its social philosophy. Ranga did not join congress party at that time. After his resignation from the college he entered into freedom movement and joined congress party. That was pointed out .This fact was not liked by either Ranga nor his followers. But I did not regret.

Communists were always critical of Ranga and his politics,They called him Rangula Ranga means that he often changes his parties. That is a fact. Ranga changed many parties during long political innings. He was in Swarajya party, Congress party, Kisan Praja party, Krishikar Lok Party, Swatantra Party, United Congress, and finally he returned to Congress.

Ranga was prolific writer in English and Telugu. He published several books, pamphlets, articles. He toured entire world and worked for the welfare of peasants. He wrote several pen sketches of his followers.

Ranga lived simple life and never indulged into corrupt practices. He had no children.

Throughout his life Ranga was in Khadi dress.

My brother Vijayaraja kumar translated his work Revolutionary peasants into Telugu.)

Birth day observed in Washington DC November 7, 2010

Greater Washington Telugu Association person observed the birthday of Prof N.G.Ranga  .A meeting was held in Touch India Cuisane restaurent in Fairfax, VA on the evening of 7 Nov 2010.
Dr Innaiah Narisetti gave critical appraisal of Ranga`s role in British India and Independent India. The political Schools conducted by Ranga from 1934 till 1955 played important role in creating awareness among the peasants. Ranga fought against Zamindars during pre independent days and saved peasant community. He also gave stiff fight to Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru for the sake of peasant self reliancy.

Participants in Ranga`s birthday meet

Dr Yedla Hemprasad introduced the speaker to the audience. Mr Vemana Satish, Mr Prasad, Mr Trilok, Mr Jakkampudi Subbarayudu, and several others participated in the meeting.

Plans to Publish

Plans are ready to write about persons in politics who had humanistic tendencies and who yielded popularity among people without official power postions.
similarly attempting to introduce humanists, rationalists, atheists, skeptics, who helped people to come out of superstitions, blind beliefs.
The list is long  and it will take some time to write about each.
To start with I would like to introduce Professor N.G.Ranga (1900-1995) who could remain in politics for 7 decades in India without corrupt practices and immoral behaviour. Uphill task indeed.