Hyderabad: The Congress party has nominated actress-turned-politician Vijaya Shanti for the Legislative Council under the MLA quota, bypassing recommendations from the state leadership. The decision, taken by the high command, has surprised Telangana Congress leaders.
Vijaya Shanti, known for her prominence in the Telugu film industry as well as her political career, rejoined Congress before the 2023 Assembly elections after resigning from the BJP. However, she did not play an active role in the election campaigns. Despite this, she has now secured an MLC seat, reportedly due to an assurance given by the then-Telangana Congress in-charge at the time of her return to the party.
High Command Decision Overrules State Leadership
Sources within the party indicate that Vijaya Shanti’s name was not proposed by any Telangana Congress leader. The nomination, directly approved by the Congress leadership, has sparked discussions within the party, particularly regarding her potential role in the state government.
Cabinet Berth Speculation
With the upcoming expansion of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s cabinet, speculation is mounting that Vijaya Shanti could be inducted as a minister. Party insiders believe that Congress lacks strong voices to counter BRS leaders KCR, KTR, and Harish Rao. Given reports that KCR is preparing to re-enter active politics, Congress is said to be considering Vijaya Shanti’s inclusion in the cabinet to strengthen its political presence.
Political Background and Strategic Role
Vijaya Shanti, a former MP, has been associated with multiple parties, including BRS, Congress, and BJP. She previously founded the ‘Talli Telangana’ party and played a role in the Telangana statehood movement. Despite not contesting in recent elections, she has now secured a key position in the Legislative Council.
Additionally, her rapport with newly appointed Telangana Congress in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan is believed to have played a role in her nomination. Both leaders served as MPs between 2009 and 2014 and were known for their active participation in parliamentary discussions. Reports suggest that Natarajan recommended Vijaya Shanti’s services to the state PCC leadership, leading to her nomination under the OBC quota.
With these developments, discussions within the party suggest that her induction into the cabinet is a strong possibility. Congress leaders believe that her inclusion in active politics could help amplify the party’s voice in Telangana.