In a remarkable career shift, a software engineer from Hyderabad has left his high-paying multinational corporation job to enter grassroots politics, securing a decisive victory in local body elections. Praveen Kumar Jogannagari, a former manager at IT giant Cognizant, won a gram panchayat ward member post with an overwhelming mandate in Telangana's Sangareddy district.
From Corporate Boardrooms to Village Politics
Praveen Kumar Jogannagari, backed by the Congress party, resigned from his position at Cognizant after a 15-year career to contest in the first phase of gram panchayat elections. He stood from Malkapur village in Kondapur mandal. Originally aiming for the sarpanch post, he contested as a ward member when the sarpanch seat was reserved for the Scheduled Caste category. He secured over 75% of the votes, a testament to his strong connect with the electorate, and subsequently became the Upa Sarpanch (Deputy Village Head).
The 37-year-old engineer, an alumnus of the prestigious Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (CBIT), revealed that his political awakening happened during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Working from home for nearly four years gave me time to engage deeply with people in my village and help them with their issues," Kumar told TOI. This period of reflection and service solidified his decision to transition into public life.
A Tech-Savvy Campaign for a Modern Electorate
Leveraging his IT expertise, Kumar ran a highly technology-driven campaign. Recognizing that Malkapur, located close to Hyderabad, has a mix of urban and rural populations, he used innovative methods to reach all 5,068 voters. "I collected phone numbers of all voters and personally called each one," he stated. His campaign strategy was a blend of traditional touch and modern tools:
- Personal phone calls to every single voter.
- Active social media outreach.
- Sharing his digital manifesto online.
- Using Interactive Voice Response (IVRS) calls for wider communication.
This unique approach paid rich dividends, helping him bridge the gap between the village's evolving demographics and ensuring his message was heard by all.
Addressing Grassroots Challenges in Malkapur
As the newly elected Upa Sarpanch, Kumar has identified pressing issues that need immediate attention. He points to the problems arising from unplanned urbanization near Hyderabad. "Many layouts were approved by the gram panchayat, but parks and roads are now being encroached upon. Water scarcity has also become a serious issue with the rising population," he explained.
His immediate priority, in collaboration with the Sarpanch Mamidepally Anil Kumar whom he supported, is to address these civic and infrastructure challenges. Kumar stated he does not miss his corporate role and is fully focused on his new mission of public service. "My goal is to ensure that villagers' issues are resolved effectively," he affirmed.
Looking ahead, the engineer-turned-politician hopes to contest for the Sarpanch post in the next elections, aiming to carry forward a family legacy—both his parents have served as sarpanches in the past. His journey marks a growing trend of professionals stepping into the political arena to drive change at the grassroots level.
