Telangana’s youngest MLAs who humbled seasoned politicians

Telangana’s youngest MLAs who humbled seasoned politiciansDecember 10, 2023Hyderabad, Dec 10 (IANS) They are young, well-educated and ambitious. In their 20s or 30s, they made a sensational electoral debut defeating political heavyweights in the recently concluded Telangana Assembly elections.

Mamidala Yeshaswini Reddy is just 26 but this NRI techie has proved to be a giant killer. She was elected on Congress ticket from Palakurthi, defeating minister for panchayat raj Erraballi Dayakar Rao, a six-time MLA and one-time MP.Erraballi had never lost an election in his four-decade-long political career. He was confident of another win as the Congress fielded a political novice.Yashaswini’s entry into the poll fray itself was dramatic. It was her mother-in-law Hanumandla Jhansi Rajender Reddy who was an aspirant for the ticket.An NRI, Jhansi is known in the constituency for philanthropic activities in erstwhile Warangal district. Her husband Hanumandla Rajender Reddy is a doctor based in the United States. The family owns California-based Raj Properties and Group.Jhansi Reddy is the founder and president of US-based organisation Women Empowerment Telugu Association (WETA), aimed at creating opportunities for women.State Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy wanted Jhansi to contest on the party ticket. She had even started campaigning. However, a few days before the nomination process was to commence, the authorities rejected her application for Indian citizenship.Hyderabad district collector informed her that her request for Indian citizenship cannot be considered as she has not resided in India continuously for a year immediately preceding the date of application.With no prior political background, Yashaswini entered the poll fray. A B.Tech in electronics and communication, she pursued her education in Hyderabad. Hailing from Nagarkurnool district, she left for the United States after marriage.In a direct contest, Yashaswini defeated Dayakar Rao by a huge margin of over 47,000 votes. This came as a huge shock to 67-year-old Erraballi Dayakar Rao, who had quit TDP in 2016 to join TRS (now BRS).In the affidavit submitted by Yashaswini while filing her nomination, she declared that she is office manager in Raj Properties and Group. Her husband H. Rajaram Mohan Reddy is finance manager in the same firm. She declared her and her husband’s movable assets at Rs 55 crore.Addressing an election rally in the constituency, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi had praised Yashaswini for her ambition and enthusiasm. She also mentioned the bond between Yashaswini and her month-in-law and also numerous works undertaken by the family to serve people.The other 26-year-old, who made a sensational electoral debut is Mynampalli Rohith Rao. He too was elected on Congress ticket, defeating three-time MLA and BRS leader Padma Devender Reddy, a former deputy Speaker of Telangana Assembly, in Medak constituency.He defeated Padma Devender Reddy, a sitting MLA, by over 10,000 votesRohith Rao’s entry into electoral