Local Self Governance: Through the Looking Glass
The Talk
The vision of a vibrant democracy at the grassroots level, through local bodies that are genuinely self-governing, has so far proved to be a mirage in our country. It is a story of hopes belied, potential unrealised, and broken promises, presenting a disorienting, surreal reality not that far removed from what Lewis Carroll’s Alice experienced in the make-believe wonderland. Join us for an evening with Buggana Rajendranath for an immersive discussion on AP’s economy. Enriched with insights from his personal journey – he shares his learnings and perspectives on the past, present & future of fundamentally crucial local self-governance in India.
Buggana Rajendranath
Buggana Rajendranath, former Finance Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is an engineer-turned-politician committed to transformative public service. A Computer Science graduate, he began his career as Sarpanch of Bethamcherla Panchayat (1995–2005) before serving two terms as an MLA from Dhone. As Finance Minister, he stabilised state finances during economic challenges, secured record infrastructure funding, and led projects like the Hyderabad-Bangalore Industrial Corridor and Kurnool Airport. He ensured key welfare commitments were met while driving governance reforms, commercial taxes, skill development, and heritage preservation. His leadership has left a lasting impact on the state’s progress and development.
