Hyderabad (PTI): She is popularly called 'Chevella Chellemma' (Chevella sister) ever since she became Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's adopted sister.
Patlolla Sabita Indra Reddy, 46, who has been elevated to the post of State Home Minister, has in fact become Rajasekhara Reddy's good omen and he invariably begins all his programmes from Chevella, her hometown.
It was from Chevella that Mr. Rajasekhara Reddy launched his 1450-km padayatra in 2003 and went on to become the state Chief Minister in 2004.
Ever since, Chevella has become his favourite place for launching all his programmes and Ms. Sabita thus became his adopted sister 'Chevella Chellamma'.
Now, Ms. Sabita has been made the State Home Minister, making her the first woman to occupy that coveted post in the State.
However, as in the past, the crucial law and order subject will be handled by the Chief Minister himself and not the Home Minister.
Ms. Sabita will get to handle general police administration, jails and correctional services, fire and emergency services and sainik welfare as Home minister, according to an official communique.
"It's so thrilling that I have become the Home Minister, a post once held by my late husband Indra Reddy. I am extremely thankful to the Chief Minister for this," a visibly ecstatic Ms. Sabita remarked as news broke of her appointment.
Ms. Sabita was first elected to the state Assembly in the year 2000 in a bye-election from Chevella constituency in Ranga Reddy district following the death of her husband Indra Reddy in a road accident.
Mr. Indra Reddy was the home minister in N T Rama Rao's Cabinet during 1994-95. She was subsequently re-elected from the same constituency in 2004 and made the minister for information technology, mines and infrastructure.
In 2007, she was made the minister for mines and geology, handlooms and textiles in the Cabinet reshuffle.
In this year's election, Ms. Sabita was elected from Maheshwaram constituency as Chevella became a reserved segment in the delimitation.
"I have never imagined even in my dream that I will be made the home minister. This only showed the Chief Minister's faith in a woman's capability. I shall live up to his expectations and discharge my duties efficiently," Ms. Sabita told reporters on Monday.
Curbing terrorism and crimes on women would be her top priority, she said, adding that the law and order situation was well under control in the state over the last five years.
She complimented the state police for doing a wonderful job in the last five years.
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