Though dubbed a newcomer to the Tirupati (SC) Lok Sabha constituency and to the TDP as well, an unperturbed Panabaka Lakshmi exudes confidence that she will become the first woman MP to represent the abode of Lord Venkateswara.
Ms. Lakshmi, who had represented the Bapatla (SC) and Nellore constituencies earlier, was the Union Minister during the UPA regime. She, however, was pushed to insignificance after bifurcation as was the case with several Congress leaders.
“My only aim is to serve the people by staying in active politics. Though I was reluctant to move away from the Congress after bifurcation, it was TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s perseverant efforts that made me consider joining the TDP,” she admits.
Ms. Lakshmi, who started Friday’s campaign along with MLA candidate M. Suguna by paying tributes at the Babu Jagjivan Ram’s statue commemorating his 112th birth anniversary, spoke to The Hindu on the sidelines of her canvassing.