Spouse(s) T. Venkata Narayana Religion Hindu | Residence Hyderabad, Telangana Died 24 July 2004, Hyderabad | |
Political party Indian National Congress, Telangana Congress | ||
Takella. N. Sadalakshmi(1928–2004) was the first Dalit woman legislator of Andhra Pradesh. A woman belongs to a low social order by caste rose to an extraordinary political stature in Andhra Pradesh's politics.
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Early life
Sadalakshmi was born to Mr.Kondayya and Mrs.Gopamma at Pension Pura, Bolaram-Hyderabad in a Dalit family on 28 December 1928. She was a student of Keyes High School, later attended Queen Mary's College, Chennai.
Political career
Sadalakshmi was influenced by B. R. Ambedkar's speech at Jeera Compound. She discontinued her medical studies to enter politics.
In 1957, she was elected to the state assembly from Kamareddy constituency for the first time and went on to become deputy speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 15 March 1960 to 1 March 1962.
In 1962, Sadalakshmi was elected to state assembly for the second time from Yellareddy assembly constituency. She became the first and only woman minister in the cabinet of Neelam Sanjiva Reddy. As a Minister of Religious and Charitable Endowments(1962–1964), she took the decision to train Dalits as Hindu priests. She set up an Archaka School at Yadagirigutta and allowed women into Devasthanam trusts.
As Social Welfare Minister(1964-19670) in the cabinet of Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, she later set up SC Corporation.
Sadalakshmi was a member of Vidhan Parishad between 1974 and 1980. She also served as honorary chairman of LIDCAP in 80's.
Sadalakshmi supported the movement for a separate Telangana state. She took an active part in Telangana People's convention held on 8 and 9 March in 1969.
Sadalakshmi joined Telugu Desam Party in 1982 at N. T. Rama Rao's insistence and served as the party's vice-president. She later left Telugu Desam Party to work for the Telangana Congress Party.
Sadalakshmi known to be a staunch fallower of Amedkarite, also an admirer of Babu Jagjivan Ram's political discourse.
Personal life
Sadalakshmi was married to T. Venkata Narayana, a prominent SC leader. They had a son and two daughters. She died on 24 July 2004 at CARE Hospital due to a cardiac problem. She was cremated at Bansilal Pet.