SHG woman from EG makes it to AP council

HYDERABAD: Angoori Laxmi Shiva Kumari, a unknown face in political circles, has been nominated to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council under governor’s quota.Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, after a meticulous examination of her background, chose her to be one of the legislators in the council, apparently in an attempt to set a new trend in politics. The 32-year-old SHG leader is a senior community resource person in East Godavari district for formation and nurturing groups and samakhyas in Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP).“It is a recognition to all Self-Help Groups in the state. This will increase the morale of the members of SHGs,” she said in reaction to her nomination to the council. According to sources, Kiran Kumar Reddy wanted a non-political face in the legislative council and after examining 30 names in pursuit of selecting one that would enhance the image of the council, chose Shiva Kumari, an SHG member.Before deciding on her candidature, the chief minister, during his tour of districts, had interacted with all the probable candidates without them knowing that they were being considered for a seat in the council.  The other four faces nominated for the council are: A Chakrapani who was chairman of the council, D Rajeswar Rao, a member from SC Madiga community from Nizamabad district, R Reddappa Reddy, a former IPS officer, both of whom had retired from the council recently, and Farooq Hussain, a BC leader from Dubbak in Medak district.Though their names did not cause any ripples, that of Shiva Kumari did. Shiva Kumari became the leader of self-help group at the age of 18 years. The violence of her drunken father against her mother firmed up her resolve to face life with courage. She was married off while she was in the sixth standard but her understanding spouse encouraged her to take part in the SHG movement. The list leaves out former agriculture minister YS Vivekananda Reddy who failed to get renomination. His supporters say it has come as no surprise since their leader had already told the party that he was not keen on becoming a member after losing the by-election in Pulivendula.