In a key development, popular actor-turned-politician and Congress MLC Vijayashanthi is poised to secure a ministerial berth in Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s cabinet. Sources within the Congress party confirm that her elevation is being seriously considered, with strong backing from the party high command.
Her potential inclusion, seen as a strategic move to bolster representation for both Backward Classes (BCs) and women in the Telangana Congress, comes amid ongoing lobbying and speculation around the upcoming cabinet expansion.
Vijayashanti met AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan at Gandhi Bhavan on June 1, during which she is believed to have formally expressed her interest in a cabinet post. Insiders say her candidacy has received support from key leaders in Delhi, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.
Party sources describe her potential inclusion as a “surprise masterstroke” aimed at expanding the Congress’s appeal among BC communities, a crucial demographic in the state. Her popularity, bolstered by her film career and active role in the Telangana statehood movement, adds weight to her political profile.
Congress leaders believe that Vijayashanti’s entry into the cabinet would serve multiple purposes: increasing BC representation, showcasing the party’s commitment to women’s empowerment, and rewarding loyalty.
With a cabinet reshuffle on the cards, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy held a meeting on June 1 to discuss the expansion, with a follow-up session slated for June 5.
Vijayashanti’s political journey spans decades—beginning with her advocacy for Telangana statehood, a successful stint as MP from Medak, and roles across parties including the BJP and BRS. Her return to the Congress in 2020 was seen as a political homecoming. Since then, she has remained active as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC).
If appointed, Vijayashanti would become the second BC woman leader in Revanth Reddy’s cabinet after Konda Surekha and is expected to be assigned a significant portfolio, capitalizing on her public image and experience.