Denied Citizenship, Californian Jhansi Reddy Fields Daughter-In-Law Who Wins Assembly Seat

HYDERABAD (IANS) – Mamidala Yeshaswini Reddy is just 26 and has made a sensational electoral debut defeating political heavyweights in the recently concluded Telangana Assembly elections including the minister for panchayat raj Erraballi Dayakar Rao, a six-time MLA and one-time MP.

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 Congress ticket from Palakurthi,

Indian American Jhansi is known in the constituency for philanthropic activities in the erstwhile Warangal district. Her husband Hanumandla Rajender Reddy is a doctor, and the family owns and runs California-based Raj Properties and Group. Jhansi is the founder and president of the US-based Women Empowerment Telugu Association.

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 commenced, Indian 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. With 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 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 a finance manager in the same firm. She declared her and her husband’s movable assets at Rs 55 crore.

In a direct contest, Yashaswini defeated Dayakar Rao by a huge margin of over 47,000 votes. This was a huge shock to 67-year-old Erraballi Dayakar Rao, who had quit TDP in 2016 to join TRS (now BRS). 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.

Addressing an election rally in the constituency, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi 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.