Three MLAs belonging to Palnadu and Bapatla districts have been made Ministers in the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s Cabinet.
Ambati Rambabu, a senior YSRCP leader and MLA of Sattenapalli, got an opportunity after a long political innings that began in 1989. First time MLA Vidadala Rajani and M. Nagarjuna, MLA of Vemuru, too got the chance.
Mr. Rambabu was one of those who had sailed with Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy after quitting the Congress party in 2010.
Having lost in a close contest with former Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao in the 2014 elections, Mr. Rambabu won with a thumping majority in the 2019 elections and was waiting in the wings since then.
Ms. Rajani, who represents a new aspirational class of politicians, is one of the four MLAs who were given the Cabinet berths.
A well educated politician, Ms. Rajani emerged as a giant killer in Chilakaluripet, where she defeated TDP’s Prathipati Pulla Rao. She had further consolidated her hold by leading the party in local body elections.
Dr. Nagarjuna was elated as he got into the Cabinet after decades of political life.
A Professor of Commerce from Andhra University, Dr. Nagarjuna resigned in 2007 and was made Chairman of SC, ST Commission, but lost two consecutive elections in the years 2009 and 2014.
Finally, he won in 2019. A loyalist of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Dr. Nagarjuna sailed with Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy and was the head of the party’s SC Cell.