Then & Now, Luck Favours Anuradha

TDP leader Panchumarthi Anuradha’s long wait for a prominent position in the party has ended with the MLA-quota MLC polls in which she secured a 23-vote majority and won the seat. She had been waiting for a ‘turning point’ in her career since years and the MLC polls fulfilled her desire.

A leader belonging to the Padmashali (weavers) community from Vijayawada, Panchumarti entered politics as early as in the 1990s. She worked as the TDP district secretary and also as the Vijayawada city secretary of the party. In 1994, she got elected as a ward member in the corporation elections, during which her reservation helped her as the seat was allocated to the BCs.

At this time, TDP supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu gave her an opportunity and she served as Vijayawada Mayor for a full five-year term. At this time, she put in a lot of efforts for the development of Vijayawada city. Even now, she had catapulted to prominence due to the reservation she enjoys. 

According to sources, the party leadership planned to field senior leader Varla Ramaiah (belonging to the SC community) as the MLC candidate. However, in the last minute, Naidu thought of giving a chance to the BCs and Panchumarti got a chance. Even her victory was unprecedented. 

In the past, Panchumarti vied to become the MLA of Mangalagiri but could not get it. She did not get due recognition even when the party was in power. Now, she got a chance to walk in the corridors of the Council and those close to her say that she deserves the elevation in her position.