B. Gopala Reddi

Mr. B.Gopala Reddi was born August 5th, 1907, of wealthy parents. The fire of patriotism was burning intensely in him, and in 1921 he boycotted the Government schools while a student in IV Form, in obedience to Congress call.

He continued his education in Tagore's Viswa Bharati and graduated in 1927 taking the Degree of Siksha Bhavan. He takes great interest in Indian language and literature and has learnt all the important Indian languages.

Mr. Reddi took active part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and was a member of the First War Council. He led the first batch of volunteers to break the salt laws in 1930 at Mypavd and was sentenced to three months imprisonment. Immediately after his release from jail he led a students procession in Nellur and was arrested and awarded six months. A few days before the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was released.

K.L. Kamat/Kamat's Potpourri
B. Gopala Reddi
B. Gopala Reddi


He takes great interest in Harijan uplift work. He acted as Secretary of the District Reception Committee during Mahatmaji's Harijan tour in Andhra Pradesh, and was largely responsible for Nellore coming at the top of Harijan collections.

As joint Secretary of the Andhra Provincial Congress Committee he organized the District Board elections in 1935 and 1936. During the last elections he was returned by the Kavali Nellore District General Constituency, inflicting a crushing defeat on Mr. B. Ramachandra Reddi, a former President of the Madras Legislative Council.

Mr. Reddi is the youngest member of the Madras Cabinet and is in charge of local "self government".

He is decided in his opinions. His conclusions once reached are always conclusive. Very few public men have given clearer evidence of their zeal and disinterestedness in any cause that they advocate than Mr. B. Gopala Reddi.

The elegance of is culture, the ardor of his patriotism and his gift of leadership makes him a peerless Minister.

Source: Haripura Congress Souvenir, 1938