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{{Short description|Indian politician}}{{BLP sources|date=July 2021}}
{{Short description|Indian politician}}
 
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = File:The Minister for Home and Jails, Andhra Pradesh, Smt. Sabitha Indra Reddy addressing the gathering during Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign, at Maheswaram, Rangareddy district, Andhra Pradesh on August 03, 2010.jpg
| image               = The Minister for Home and Jails, Andhra Pradesh, Smt. Sabitha Indra Reddy addressing the gathering during Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign, at Maheswaram, Rangareddy district, Andhra Pradesh on August 03, 2010.jpg
| name = Sabitha Indra Reddy
| caption            =
| office =[[Minister of Education]]
| name               = Sabitha Indra Reddy
<br />[[Government of Telangana]]
| office1    = [[Minister of Education]]<br>[[Government of Telangana]]
| office1 = Minister of Home, Jail, and Disaster Management<br />[[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start1      = 8 September 2019
| honorific_prefix =  
| term_end1        = 6 December 2023
| termstart = 8 September 2019
| governor1        = [[Tamilisai Soundararajan]]
| termend1 = 2013
| 1blankname1    = Chief Minister
| termstart1 = 2009
| 1namedata1      = [[K. Chandrashekar Rao]]
| office2 = Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Chevella]]
| predecessor1  = [[Kadiyam Srihari]]
| office3 = Minister of Mines and Geology<br />[[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]
| successor1      = [[Chief Minister of Telangana]]
| termend2 = 2009
| office2             = [[Telangana Legislative Assembly| Member of Legislative Assembly, Telangana]]
| termstart2 = 2000
| termstart2          = 11 December 2018
| termend3 = 2009
| predecessor2    = [[Teegala Krishna Reddy]]
| termstart3 = 2004
| constituency2  = [[Maheshwaram Assembly constituency| Maheshwaram]]
| birth_date = {{birth_date and age|1963|5|5|df=yes}}
| office4                = [[First Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ministry| Minister of Handlooms, <br> Textiles and Spinning Mills, Mines and Geology]]<br>[[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]
| birth_place =Kota Baspally, Tandur
| term_start4        = 14 May 2004
| nationality = Indian
| term_end4          = 20 May 2009
| spouse = Late [[P. Indra Reddy]]
| governor4          =
| children = 3
* [[Surjit Singh Barnala]]
| residence = [[Hyderabad]], India
* [[Sushilkumar Shinde]]
| office4 = Member of Legislative Assembly from [[Maheshwaram]]
* [[Rameshwar Thakur]]
| termstart4 = 11 December 2018
* [[N. D. Tiwari]]
| party = [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]]
| 1blankname4      = Chief Minister
| otherparty = [[Indian National Congress]]  
| 1namedata4        = [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]]
}}
| predecessor4    = [[Uma Madhava Reddy]]
| successor4        = [[Balineni Srinivasa Reddy]]
| office3            = [[Second Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ministry| Minister of Home, Jails, Fire Services, Sainik Welfare, Disaster Management & Printing and Stationary]]<br/>[[Government of Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start3        = 25 May 2009
| term_end3          = 26 May 2013
| governor3          =  
* [[N. D. Tiwari]]
* [[E. S. L. Narasimhan]]
| 1blankname3      = Chief Minister
| 1namedata3        =  
* [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]]
* [[Konijeti Rosaiah]]
* [[Kiran Kumar Reddy]]
| predecessor3    = [[Kunduru Jana Reddy]]
| successor3        = [[Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy]]
| office5                = [[Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly| Member of Legislative Assembly<br>Andhra Pradesh]]
| term_start5      = 2009
| term_end5        = 2014
| predecessor5  = [[Teegala Krishna Reddy]]
| successor5      = ''Telangana Assembly Created''
| constituency5  = [[Maheshwaram Assembly constituency|Maheshwaram]]
| term_start6        = 2000
| term_end6          = 2009
| predecessor6    = [[P. Indra Reddy]]
| successor6      = Korani Sayanna Ratnam
| constituency6  = [[Chevella Assembly constituency| Chevella]]


'''Patlolla Sabitha Indra Reddy''' is an Indian politician who is the current Minister of State for Education of Telangana, additionally Member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly from [[Maheshwaram (Assembly constituency)|Maheshwaram constituency]]. She Joined TRS Party in 2019. She became the first woman [[Home Minister]] of any Indian Government after the late CM [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]] allocated that portfolio to her. She is also the first women minister for Telangana.<ref name="toi-20090526">{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sabita-reddy-to-be-first-woman-home-minister-of-andhra/articleshow/4579269.cms |title=Sabita Reddy to be first woman home minister of Andhra |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=26 May 2009 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> She has been a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the Legislative Assembly]] of Andhra Pradesh for two terms from Chevella assembly constituency and two times for Maheshwaram constituency.
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1963|05|05|df=yes}}
| birth_place        = [[Medak]], [[Andhra Pradesh]](now [[Telangana]], [[India]])
| spouse              = [[P. Indra Reddy]]
| children            = 3<ref name="Beyond all boundaries">{{cite news |last1=Deccan Chronicle |first1= |title=Beyond all boundaries |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/100716/beyond-all-boundaries.html |access-date=17 April 2022 |date=10 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417092715/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/100716/beyond-all-boundaries.html |archive-date=17 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
| residence          = <!-- must be attributed to reliable sources -->


==Personal life==
| party                      = [[Bharat Rashtra Samithi]]<br/>(2019 - Present)
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
| otherparty          = [[Indian National Congress]]<br/>(2000 - 2019)
Sabitha was born on 5 May 1963 at Tandur to G. Mahipal Reddy and Venkatamma. She is eldest of three siblings. She has a younger sister and a brother. She studied till middle school in Tandur and then moved to Hyderabad for higher education, she studied at Bhagya Memorial Girls High School at Chaderghat. She completed her education till B.Sc from Sri Vani Womens degree college, Hyderabad.
| education          = [[Twelfth grade|Intermediate]]
}}


She was married to [[P. Indra Reddy]] (1954–2000) who was the Home Minister in [[N. T. Rama Rao]]'s Cabinet. She was married right after her education at a young age of 20 years. The couple has three sons. She met Indra Reddy through a relative when he was the Law College President at [[Osmania University]]. Indra Reddy was a very popular leader who carried a cult image in Telangana. After his demise in a road accident, Sabitha a widow at the age of 37 began to foray into politics.
'''Patlolla Sabitha Indra Reddy''' (born 5 May 1963) is an Indian politician from Telangana and a five time Member of Legislative Assembly. She was the Minister for Education of [[Telangana]] state during 2019-23.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rahul|first=N.|date=14 March 2019|title=Sabita Reddy all set to join Telangana Rashtra Samithi|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/sabita-reddy-all-set-to-join-telangana-rashtra-samithi/article26528678.ece|url-status=live|access-date=9 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107235715/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/sabita-reddy-all-set-to-join-telangana-rashtra-samithi/article26528678.ece|archive-date=7 November 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> She was elected twice from Chevella assembly constituency in 2000 and 2004 and thrice from [[Maheshwaram (Assembly constituency)|Maheshwaram constituency]] in 2009, 2018 and 2023.  


Coincidentally, Sabitha and Indra Reddy both have been Home Ministers for the State of Andhra Pradesh, making it the only couple in India to ever do so. To add on, Sabitha was also inculcated into [[K. Chandrashekar Rao]] cabinet as Education Minister for the state of [[Telangana]], a position also held by her husband in the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh.
==Early life==
Sabitha Indra Reddy was born on 5 May 1963 in [[Medak]] to Mahipal Reddy and Venkatamma. She was married to [[P. Indra Reddy]] (died 2000), and the couple has three sons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Member's Profile: SMT. PATLOLLA SABITHA INDRA REDDY|url=https://www.telanganalegislature.org.in/web/legislative-assembly/members-information?p_p_id=AssemblyMemberInfo_TGPortlet_INSTANCE_cL1L4gtn8MxA&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_AssemblyMemberInfo_TGPortlet_INSTANCE_cL1L4gtn8MxA_javax.portlet.action=getMemberDetails&_AssemblyMemberInfo_TGPortlet_INSTANCE_cL1L4gtn8MxA_const_id=50&_AssemblyMemberInfo_TGPortlet_INSTANCE_cL1L4gtn8MxA_mem_id=3435&_AssemblyMemberInfo_TGPortlet_INSTANCE_cL1L4gtn8MxA_term_id=15&p_auth=hcUxaNvv|access-date=2022-02-09|website=[[Telangana Legislature]]}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Career==
Sabitha held the position of Mines and Geology Minister in the earlier government.<ref name="toi-20090526" /> She was the first female Home Minister of a state in the nation.<ref name="Hindu27May2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/27/stories/2009052754580600.htm|title=Sabitha, first A.P. woman Home Minister|date=27 May 2009|work=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/60CIalVi2?url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/27/stories/2009052754580600.htm|archivedate=15 July 2011}}</ref> She is an undefeated four time MLA. She was elected twice from [[Chevella]] and twice from [[Maheshwaram (Assembly constituency)|Maheshwaram]] after delimitation.
Indra Reddy started her political career with the [[Indian National Congress]] and in 2009 became the first acting woman [[Home Minister]] of a state in India, serving until 2013.<ref name="toi-20090526">{{cite web |date=26 May 2009 |title=Sabita Reddy to be first woman home minister of Andhra |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sabita-reddy-to-be-first-woman-home-minister-of-andhra/articleshow/4579269.cms |access-date=12 July 2021 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref name="Hindu27May2009">{{cite web |date=27 May 2009 |title=Sabitha, first A.P. woman Home Minister |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/27/stories/2009052754580600.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110063458/http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/27/stories/2009052754580600.htm |archivedate=10 November 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


In 2011, [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] arrested [[V. D. Rajagopal IAS|V. D. Rajagopal]] and [[Y. Srilakshmi IAS|Y. Srilakshmi]], as third and fourth accused respectively in the investigation into [[illegal mining]] by [[Obulapuram Mining Company]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/sri-lakshmi-arrested-in-illegal-mining-case/article2669618.ece |title=Sri Lakshmi arrested in illegal mining case |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929093433/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/sri-lakshmi-arrested-in-illegal-mining-case/article2669618.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/rajagopal-has-role-in-benami-mining-cbi/article2713127.ece |title=Rajagopal has role in 'benami' mining: CBI |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929105706/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/rajagopal-has-role-in-benami-mining-cbi/article2713127.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/srilakshmi-sent-to-chanchalguda-jail/article2678413.ece |title=Srilakshmi sent to Chanchalguda jail |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=2 December 2011 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/rajagopal-sri-lakshmi-accused-of-fraud/article2654668.ece |title=Rajagopal, Sri Lakshmi accused of fraud |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929101110/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/rajagopal-sri-lakshmi-accused-of-fraud/article2654668.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |date=24 November 2011 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> The permission for mining in Anantapur was for captive mining, i.e. the ore mined in that region is to be used in the local steel plant and not to be exported. Srilakshmi is accused of dropping the term "captive mining" in the final order approving a mining license to Obulapuram.
She held the position of Mines and Geology Minister in the earlier government of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.<ref name="toi-20090526" /> After winning the [[2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly election|2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly Election]] she joined [[Bharat Rashtra Samithi]] in 2019.


The CBI defended the Home minister saying there was no justification for the official to blame the Minister.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rahul |first=N. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/cbi-defends-sabita/article2679567.ece |title=CBI defends Sabita |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929093723/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/cbi-defends-sabita/article2679567.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |date=2 December 2011 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> As of April 2013, Sabitha Indra Reddy submitted her resignation letter from the Cabinet after the CBI named her as an accused in the [[Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy]] illegal investments case.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ragunathan |first1=Daya |last2=Srinivas |first2=N. Vamsi |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/130409/news-politics/article/cbi-names-sabita-jagan-dalmia-case |title=CBI names Sabita in Jagan-Dalmia case |newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204162114/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/130409/news-politics/article/cbi-names-sabita-jagan-dalmia-case |archive-date=4 December 2013 |date=9 April 2013 |access-date=12 July 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===2000 by-elections===
She was pushed into politics after her husband had died in a road accident. She contested the 2000 by election on a Congress ticket from [[Chevella]] assembly constituency against KLR who is an industrialist and politician. She won the election with a majority of 29,909 votes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jafri |first=Syed Amin |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/29ap1.htm |title=Cong, TDP pocket one seat each in by-polls |work=[[Rediff]] |date=29 May 2000 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>


==Sabitha in Elections==
===2004 general elections===
In 2004, she beat the TDP candidate and won the [[Chevella]] seat. She won with a majority of 41,585 votes. Consequently, YSR inducted her into the Cabinet as Minister of Mines and Geology.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://resultuniversity.com/election/chevella-andhra-pradesh-assembly-constituency |title=Chevella Assembly Constituency Election Result |work=Result University |date=15 May 2004 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>


===2000 By-elections===
===2009 general elections===
She was pushed into politics through this elections as her husband had passed away. In this election, she contested on a Congress ticket from [[Chevella]] MLA constituency against KLR who is an industrialist and politician. In this election, through her husband's name, the sympathy of his death and her commitment to work for the people she won the election with a whopping 29,909 votes majority.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jafri |first=Syed Amin |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2000/may/29ap1.htm |title=Cong, TDP pocket one seat each in by-polls |work=[[Rediff]] |date=29 May 2000 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>
This election happened just after the constituency delimitation. As a result of this, her bastion Chevella constituency was changed to be an SC-reserved constituency. This resulted in her changing her constituency to the newly formed [[Maheshwaram (Assembly constituency)]]. Though she moved few days prior to the election to the new constituency, she beat the local stalwart [[Teegala Krishna Reddy]] by a margin of 8000 votes. Thus, she became the first female Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh and a first female home minister to any state in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://resultuniversity.com/election/maheshwaram-andhra-pradesh-assembly-constituency |title=Maheshwaram Assembly Constituency Election Result |work=Result University |date=14 November 2009 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>


===2004 General elections===
===2014 general elections===
This election, she showed her hard-working nature to her constituents. In this election, she beat the TDP candidate by bettering her previous margin from [[Chevella]]. This time she won with a majority of 41,585 votes. Consequently, YSR inculcated her into the Cabinet as Minister of Mines and Geology.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://resultuniversity.com/election/chevella-andhra-pradesh-assembly-constituency |title=Chevella Assembly Constituency Election Result |work=Result University |date=15 May 2004 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>
Due to Congress party's decision of one family one ticket rule that year, she had made way for her son Karthik Reddy, who made his electoral debut contesting Chevella Lok Sabha seat, but lost the election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-25 |title=Battle of four equals in unequal Chevella |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/battle-of-four-equals-in-unequal-chevella/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> She did not contest the 2014 elections.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-05-19 |title=‘Congress lost Chevella due to emotional voting’ |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/congress-lost-chevella-due-to-emotional-voting/article6025855.ece |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


===2009 General elections===
===2018 general elections===
This election happened just after the constituency delimitation. As a result of this, her bastion Chevella constituency was changed to be an SC-reserved constituency. This resulted in her changing her constituency to the newly formed [[Maheshwaram (Assembly constituency)]]. Though she moved few days prior to the election to the new constituency, she beat the local stalwart [[Teegala Krishna Reddy]] by a margin of 8000 votes. Thus, she became the first female Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh and a first female home minister to any state in India.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://resultuniversity.com/election/maheshwaram-andhra-pradesh-assembly-constituency |title=Maheshwaram Assembly Constituency Election Result |work=Result University |date=14 November 2009 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>
Despite a strong TRS wave in the [[2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly election|2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly Election]], she managed to win on a Congress ticket. Later, she joined the ruling party and became a cabinet minister in KCR cabinet.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-12-12 |title=Maheshwaram Assembly election Result 2018: INC's Sabitha Indra Reddy wins |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/elections/telangana-election/article/maheshwaram-assembly-constituency-election-2018-telangana-polls-candidates/324751 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=www.timesnownews.com |language=en}}</ref> She defeated [[Teegala Krishna Reddy]] of TRS by a margin of 9.227 votes.<ref name=":0" />  


===2014 General elections===
===2023 General elections===
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
Reddy won her 5th election on a [[Bharat Rashtra Samithi|BRS]] ticket in the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly Election from Maheshwaram despite a strong anti-BRS wave. She defeated Andela Sriramulu Yadav of BJP by a margin of 26,187 votes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-12-03 |title=Maheshwaram assembly elections results 2023: BRS' Patlolla Sabitha Indra Reddy wins |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/maheshwaram-assembly-elections-results-2023-its-bjps-andela-sriramulu-yadav-against-t-sriramulu-yadav-from-bkp/articleshow/105696411.cms |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
In 2014, Sabitha did not contest the elections though she was the favorite to win the seat from Maheshwaram. She was denied a Congress ticket as the [[Indian National Congress]] decided to give the ticket to only one member of the family. Her son [[Karthik Reddy]] contested from Chevella Parliamentary constituency and lost marginally to the then [[Telangana Rashtra Samithi]] Candidate. Many of her followers criticized the Congress Party as it was a hypocritical move, keeping in mind that [[Rahul Gandhi]] and [[Sonia Gandhi]] contest elections as a mother-son duo.


===2018 General elections===
== Controversy ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
In 2011, [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] arrested [[V. D. Rajagopal IAS|V. D. Rajagopal]] and [[Y. Srilakshmi IAS|Y. Srilakshmi]], as third and fourth accused respectively in the investigation into [[illegal mining]] by [[Obulapuram Mining Company]].<ref>{{cite web |date=29 November 2011 |title=Sri Lakshmi arrested in illegal mining case |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/sri-lakshmi-arrested-in-illegal-mining-case/article2669618.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929093433/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/sri-lakshmi-arrested-in-illegal-mining-case/article2669618.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |access-date=12 July 2021 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=14 December 2011 |title=Rajagopal has role in 'benami' mining: CBI |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/rajagopal-has-role-in-benami-mining-cbi/article2713127.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929105706/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/rajagopal-has-role-in-benami-mining-cbi/article2713127.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |access-date=12 July 2021 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2 December 2011 |title=Srilakshmi sent to Chanchalguda jail |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/srilakshmi-sent-to-chanchalguda-jail/article2678413.ece |access-date=12 July 2021 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=24 November 2011 |title=Rajagopal, Sri Lakshmi accused of fraud |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/rajagopal-sri-lakshmi-accused-of-fraud/article2654668.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929101110/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/rajagopal-sri-lakshmi-accused-of-fraud/article2654668.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |access-date=12 July 2021 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The permission for mining in Anantapur was for captive mining, i.e. the ore mined in that region is to be used in the local steel plant and not to be exported. Srilakshmi is accused of dropping the term "captive mining" in the final order approving a mining license to Obulapuram.  
After 4 years in the opposition and struggle for the Congress Party, Sabitha's good work was recognized by the constituents of the Maheshwaram Assembly. This time even the Congress Party gave her the ticket but at the cost of her son's ticket from [[Rajendranagar (Assembly constituency)]]. Instead, Karthik was promised the Chevella MP ticket by the Congress Party's 3-member committee (consisting of Bhaktha charandas, Ahmed Patel & D.K Shivakumar), which was not fulfilled later. However, they sacrificed one ticket and Sabitha won the election over sitting MLA Teegala Krishna Reddy by a margin of 9,227 votes.


==Sabitha and Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy relations==
The CBI defended the Home minister saying there was no justification for the official to blame the Minister.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rahul |first=N. |date=2 December 2011 |title=CBI defends Sabita |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/cbi-defends-sabita/article2679567.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929093723/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/cbi-defends-sabita/article2679567.ece |archive-date=29 September 2013 |access-date=12 July 2021 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> As of April 2013, Sabitha Indra Reddy submitted her resignation letter from the Cabinet after the CBI named her as an accused in the [[Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy]] illegal investments case.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ragunathan |first1=Daya |last2=Srinivas |first2=N. Vamsi |date=9 April 2013 |title=CBI names Sabita in Jagan-Dalmia case |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/130409/news-politics/article/cbi-names-sabita-jagan-dalmia-case |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204162114/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/130409/news-politics/article/cbi-names-sabita-jagan-dalmia-case |archive-date=4 December 2013 |access-date=12 July 2021 |newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref>
YSR and Sabitha enjoyed a strong relationship and YSR often called her Chevella Chellamma, (which roughly translates to be the younger sister from the region of Chevella, in Telugu). This relation is well depicted in the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] movie ''[[Yatra (2019 film)|Yatra]]'', where the role of sabitha was played by [[Suhasini Maniratnam]]. YSR launched every govt scheme from her constituency of Chevella and believed his younger sister to be a good luck charm. The prestigious [[padayatra]] (1600 km) was also started from Chevella. As a result, Sabitha walked along with YSR for almost 400 km in the Telangana region. YSR even brought the then Prime Minister of India [[Manmohan Singh]] to her constituency for launch of [[National Food For Work Programme]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/pm-launches-food-for-work-programme/articleshow/922272.cms |title=PM launches food for work programme |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=14 November 2004 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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Latest revision as of 08:43, 21 October 2025


Sabitha Indra Reddy
Minister of Education
Government of Telangana
In office
8 September 2019 – 6 December 2023
GovernorTamilisai Soundararajan
Chief MinisterK. Chandrashekar Rao
Preceded byKadiyam Srihari
Succeeded byChief Minister of Telangana
Member of Legislative Assembly, Telangana
Assumed office
11 December 2018
Preceded byTeegala Krishna Reddy
Constituency Maheshwaram
Minister of Home, Jails, Fire Services, Sainik Welfare, Disaster Management & Printing and Stationary
Government of Andhra Pradesh
In office
25 May 2009 – 26 May 2013
Governor
Chief Minister
Preceded byKunduru Jana Reddy
Succeeded byNallari Kiran Kumar Reddy
Minister of Handlooms,
Textiles and Spinning Mills, Mines and Geology

Government of Andhra Pradesh
In office
14 May 2004 – 20 May 2009
Governor
Chief MinisterY. S. Rajasekhara Reddy
Preceded byUma Madhava Reddy
Succeeded byBalineni Srinivasa Reddy
Member of Legislative Assembly
Andhra Pradesh
In office
2009–2014
Preceded byTeegala Krishna Reddy
Succeeded byTelangana Assembly Created
ConstituencyMaheshwaram
In office
2000–2009
Preceded byP. Indra Reddy
Succeeded byKorani Sayanna Ratnam
Constituency Chevella
Personal details
Born (1963-05-05) 5 May 1963 (age 63)
Medak, Andhra Pradesh(now Telangana, India)
Political partyBharat Rashtra Samithi
(2019 - Present)
Other political
affiliations
Indian National Congress
(2000 - 2019)
Spouse(s)P. Indra Reddy
Children3[1]
EducationIntermediate

Patlolla Sabitha Indra Reddy (born 5 May 1963) is an Indian politician from Telangana and a five time Member of Legislative Assembly. She was the Minister for Education of Telangana state during 2019-23.[2] She was elected twice from Chevella assembly constituency in 2000 and 2004 and thrice from Maheshwaram constituency in 2009, 2018 and 2023.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Sabitha Indra Reddy was born on 5 May 1963 in Medak to Mahipal Reddy and Venkatamma. She was married to P. Indra Reddy (died 2000), and the couple has three sons.[3]

Career[edit | edit source]

Indra Reddy started her political career with the Indian National Congress and in 2009 became the first acting woman Home Minister of a state in India, serving until 2013.[4][5]

She held the position of Mines and Geology Minister in the earlier government of Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2009.[4] After winning the 2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly Election she joined Bharat Rashtra Samithi in 2019.

2000 by-elections[edit | edit source]

She was pushed into politics after her husband had died in a road accident. She contested the 2000 by election on a Congress ticket from Chevella assembly constituency against KLR who is an industrialist and politician. She won the election with a majority of 29,909 votes.[6]

2004 general elections[edit | edit source]

In 2004, she beat the TDP candidate and won the Chevella seat. She won with a majority of 41,585 votes. Consequently, YSR inducted her into the Cabinet as Minister of Mines and Geology.[7]

2009 general elections[edit | edit source]

This election happened just after the constituency delimitation. As a result of this, her bastion Chevella constituency was changed to be an SC-reserved constituency. This resulted in her changing her constituency to the newly formed Maheshwaram (Assembly constituency). Though she moved few days prior to the election to the new constituency, she beat the local stalwart Teegala Krishna Reddy by a margin of 8000 votes. Thus, she became the first female Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh and a first female home minister to any state in India.[8]

2014 general elections[edit | edit source]

Due to Congress party's decision of one family one ticket rule that year, she had made way for her son Karthik Reddy, who made his electoral debut contesting Chevella Lok Sabha seat, but lost the election.[9] She did not contest the 2014 elections.[10]

2018 general elections[edit | edit source]

Despite a strong TRS wave in the 2018 Telangana Legislative Assembly Election, she managed to win on a Congress ticket. Later, she joined the ruling party and became a cabinet minister in KCR cabinet.[11] She defeated Teegala Krishna Reddy of TRS by a margin of 9.227 votes.[11]

2023 General elections[edit | edit source]

Reddy won her 5th election on a BRS ticket in the 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly Election from Maheshwaram despite a strong anti-BRS wave. She defeated Andela Sriramulu Yadav of BJP by a margin of 26,187 votes.[12]

Controversy[edit | edit source]

In 2011, Central Bureau of Investigation arrested V. D. Rajagopal and Y. Srilakshmi, as third and fourth accused respectively in the investigation into illegal mining by Obulapuram Mining Company.[13][14][15][16] The permission for mining in Anantapur was for captive mining, i.e. the ore mined in that region is to be used in the local steel plant and not to be exported. Srilakshmi is accused of dropping the term "captive mining" in the final order approving a mining license to Obulapuram.

The CBI defended the Home minister saying there was no justification for the official to blame the Minister.[17] As of April 2013, Sabitha Indra Reddy submitted her resignation letter from the Cabinet after the CBI named her as an accused in the Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy illegal investments case.[18]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Deccan Chronicle (10 July 2016). "Beyond all boundaries". Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  2. Rahul, N. (14 March 2019). "Sabita Reddy all set to join Telangana Rashtra Samithi". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  3. "Member's Profile: SMT. PATLOLLA SABITHA INDRA REDDY". Telangana Legislature. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Sabita Reddy to be first woman home minister of Andhra". The Times of India. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  5. "Sabitha, first A.P. woman Home Minister". The Hindu. 27 May 2009. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012.
  6. Jafri, Syed Amin (29 May 2000). "Cong, TDP pocket one seat each in by-polls". Rediff. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  7. "Chevella Assembly Constituency Election Result". Result University. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  8. "Maheshwaram Assembly Constituency Election Result". Result University. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. "Battle of four equals in unequal Chevella". The Indian Express. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  10. "'Congress lost Chevella due to emotional voting'". The Hindu. 19 May 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Maheshwaram Assembly election Result 2018: INC's Sabitha Indra Reddy wins". www.timesnownews.com. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  12. "Maheshwaram assembly elections results 2023: BRS' Patlolla Sabitha Indra Reddy wins". The Times of India. 3 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  13. "Sri Lakshmi arrested in illegal mining case". The Hindu. 29 November 2011. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  14. "Rajagopal has role in 'benami' mining: CBI". The Hindu. 14 December 2011. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  15. "Srilakshmi sent to Chanchalguda jail". The Hindu. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  16. "Rajagopal, Sri Lakshmi accused of fraud". The Hindu. 24 November 2011. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  17. Rahul, N. (2 December 2011). "CBI defends Sabita". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  18. Ragunathan, Daya; Srinivas, N. Vamsi (9 April 2013). "CBI names Sabita in Jagan-Dalmia case". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2021.