Gireesh Kumar Sanghi (born 8 March 1955) is an industrialist and politician. He was a Member of the Parliament of India for the Indian National Congress party representing Andhra Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament.
Sanghi obtained a BA in political science from Osmania University. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in June 2004 and served until June 2010,[1] actively involved in several committees. In February 2015 he left the Congress party and joined the BJP.[2] [3]
He is a joint-owner and director of a conglomerate of companies that includes Sanghi Textiles and A.G.A. Publications, the publisher of Telugu-language newspaper Vaartha and Hindi Swatantra Vaartha.[4] [5] [6]
A controversy arose in 2016 about Sanghi's unauthorised use of a government bungalow.[7] Sanghi was entitled to rent and use the bungalow while a member of the Rajya Sabha. However, upon ceasing to serve, he forfeited that right. However he continued to use the bungalow for over 5 years after his departure. Additionally, he failed to pay the rent due, leaving him liable for roughly ₹23,00,000.[7] There were also complaints that he had made significant unauthorised changes to the government-owned bungalows, such as converting it into a two floor accommodation.[7]