Gummadi Sandhyarani's Journey to Assembly a Testament to her Determination

Visakhapatnam: In the TD-led alliance government, three women leaders got in as ministers. Two of them represent North Andhra and the third is from Rayalaseema.

The three are Vangalapudi Anitha, MLA of Payakaraopeta constituency in Anakapalli district, Salur MLA from Parvathipuram Manyam district, Gummadi Sandhyarani, MLA of Penukonda in Anantapur district. This is the first time they are holding ministerial posts.

Notably, women leaders from SC, ST, and BC categories have been included in the TD-JS-BJP cabinet.

Among the three, Sandhya Rani became an MLA for the first time. Gummadi Sandhyarani's journey to the assembly is a testament to her perseverance and determination. After contesting the assembly polls twice and parliament poll once, and facing defeat all three times, she laughed her way to success this time.

Sandhya Rani humbled deputy CM Pidika Rajannadora. She was born on March 15, 1973, and completed her B.Sc from MR Mahila College, Vizianagaram. Her political journey began in 1999 as Congress candidate in Salur. She was defeated by the Telugu Desam nominee Rajendra Pratap Bhanjdev.

She later joined the TD. In the 2009 elections, she ran as TD candidate but was defeated by Congress candidate Pidika Rajannadora. In the 2014 general elections, she entered the race in Araku as a TD candidate for the Lok Sabha but lost again. In 2015, she was made MLC under the TD government. She continued in this position till 2021. It is reported that Sandhya Rani's campaign to give her “one chance” worked in her favour this time. She defeated Pidika Rajannadora, who was an MLA three times.