Lagadapati Rajagopal, known as Lanco Rajagopal is an MP from Vijayawada Lok Sabha Constituency of Andhra Pradesh. He was first elected to Lok Sabha in 2004 General elections and won for the second time in 2009 elections from the same constituency. He defeated noted film producer Aswini Dutt and Vallabhaneni Vamsi, both from TDP successively in 2004 and 2009 elections. Lagadapati Rajagopal is basically an industrialist and son-in-law of former central and state minister and long time TDP leader, Parvathaneni Upendra.
Lagadapati has been in news for his stand against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into two states. He has been supporting the cause of United Andhra Pradesh and in forefront in mobilising politicians and other sections of people against any division of AP. Lagadapati has created huge political crisis in Andhra Pradesh through offering resignation to his MP seat immediately after P. Chidambaram’s statement on 9th December 2009 on the formation of Telangana State. The immediate political developments in coastal Andhra Pradesh have resulted in Center taking back the Home Minister’s statement immediately. Lagadapati also promised to quit from active politics if the state is divided. Following is the brief profile of Lagadapati Rajagopal: