In first political run, Speaker’s wife to contest for sarpanch

VISAKHAPATNAM: Assembly speaker

Tammineni Sitaram

’s wife

Tammineni Vanisri

has filed her nomination for

sarpanch

post in their native village of

Thogaram

in Amadalavalasa mandal of Srikakulam district. Polling for the village is set to be held on February 17.


Speaking to TOI, 55-year-old Vanisri said wanted to establish a ‘veda patasala’ (vedic school) in her village, which is located on the bank of river Nagavali. “I have already shared my plans with Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamy, who has assured his guidance. I want to make Thogaram a model village and make every woman an entrepreneur by setting up small scale units,” Vanisri said.

Vanisri filed her nominations on Monday in support of YSRC. Interestingly, her opponent is her relative Tammineni Bharatamma, who supports TDP. Unlike her husband Sitaram, a six-time MLA with over 20 years of years of political experience, Vanisri has not been directly involved in politics so far. “It is the first time she is directly involved in politics and has support from villagers. There is no involvement from my side,” the Speaker told TOI.

Thogaram village has a population of close to 2,000 with around 1,500 voters. The Kanlinga community (BC-A) constitutes a sizeable chunk of the population followed by handloom weavers. Locals here are mostly dependent on agriculture but a growing number of youth from the village are now opting to become teachers, lawyers, engineers, and doctors.