The Telugu electorate had seen the first of the unforgettable Madhavi Latha five years ago, but certainly not the last of her! Kompella Madhavi Latha first contested as a BJP candidate from the Guntur constituency in Andhra Pradesh back in 2019. She lost the election but her party, the BJP, took note of her for her RSS roots, her social activism and social service, her passionate speeches in both Telugu and English and her optimistic, cheerful, indomitable spirit.
In 2024, The BJP stands a higher chance of a significantly higher vote share on its own standing, in Telangana than it does in Andhra, where it is in partnership with the TDP-JSP, relying on its alliance parties to raise its A.P tally. Given the negotiations for seat sharing among the three NDA parties in Andhra and wisely accepting the reality of lower chances in A.P relative to Telangana, the BJP has chosen to field the charismatic Kompella Madhavi Latha from Hyderabad, Telangana for the 2024 national elections.
There was a palpable, clearly visible excitement in the air, with the announcement of Madhavi’s candidature in the Hyderabad constituency (old city) pitted against none other than, the leader of the muslim AIMIM party, Asaduddin Owaisi. The BJP’s choice for this tough constituency against a seasoned, veteran, minority-political heavyweight, has piqued the curiosity of both the media and common people. Kompella Madhavi Latha is well spoken, articulate, not afraid to tell it like it is and ready to take on a formidable opponent regardless of the outcome! She is reminiscent of Smriti Irani in her early years of political involvement.
For the BJP, a proudly-Hindu woman candidate, K Madhavi Latha’s endorsement in an electoral constituency, dominated by the muslim minority and the AIMIM party leaders since 1984 is an interesting move aimed at the future, with a bit of disruptive, out-of-the-box thinking. It is a bold strategy, hoping to gain favour with minority women voters, who can appreciate the social activism and social work done by a fellow woman, with a reputation for sincere intent, honesty and integrity.
What’s more – Madhavi Latha has a proven track record of advocating for women’s and children’s causes including muslim women’s issues such as the now-outlawed Triple Talaq and educational opportunities for girls. The BJP’s decision to field a Hindu female candidate against a muslim male, chief of the AIMIM party and four-time Hyderabad MP (Member of Parliament) is a deliberate one, aimed at breaking stereotypes. This strategy is a current chess move that carries a near-future goal. In the short term, how will Madhavi Latha do and for the longer term, can she help the BJP make inroads into a bastion of Hyderabadi muslims? The BJP’s master plan appears to be one of investing in short term efforts in furthering their long term goals, with the help of a woman known for her charitable works.
In recent interviews to Telugu channels, Madhavi Latha encouraged all women to exercise their franchise and cast their votes fearlessly, including muslim women. She mentioned that many muslim women are misled by muslim men, into believing that their voting choices would become public knowledge, which makes them hesitant of voting for a person of their choice. Many of them are afraid of the consequences of voting for a candidate, opposed by the men of the community. Madhavi Latha went on record, requesting all women, including muslim women to vote for the right candidate, assuring them of the strict privacy of the voting process. She requested Hindu women to help their muslim sisters make the right choice.
Madhavi Latha has also committed to bringing about the necessary clarity to the BJP’s proposed CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) among muslim men and women who are currently being fed false propaganda against the Act by many muslim leaders, barring a few. She spoke about several years of voter-id tampering in the Hyderabad old city constituency, alleging that a significant number of Hindu votes were negated. She has requested the EC (Election Commission) to look into the issue. Madhavi has promised better education, hygiene, transportation services, health care, development and equal opportunities for all, in the Hyderabad old city constituency…stating that this constituency has not made much progress relative to other parts of Hyderabad and Secunderabad cities, in spite of electing the Owaisi family to power, since the 1980s.
Who is this firebrand Telugu lady with excellent oratory skills in Telugu, Hindi and English? Who is this lady that has aroused the curiosity of the media and the common people alike in the Telugu speaking states as well as the national BJP circles?
She is a stauch advocate of women’s and children’s rights, who has earned the trust of hundreds of Hindu and Muslim women. K Madhavi Latha’s personal, educational, professional, social, charitable and religious accomplishments are impressive enough for most people to take note.
Social, Religious, Charitable:
– Madhavi Latha was an NCC cadet with an RSS background.
– She first gained recognition for her social activism and social work:
1) Worked with muslim women’s groups in Hyderabad ahead of the Triple Talak verdict in 2019.
2) She is an advocate and active sponsor of girls’ education across the religious divide.
3) She is recognized and appreciated for organizing health camps for the needy and for her efforts in aiding flood victims.
4) She established the Lopamudra charitable trust, which provides free eye care services to needy women, pregnant women.
5) Also runs the LathaMa Charitable Foundation with the aim of improving the lives of the underprivileged (especially women), regardless of caste, creed and religion.
6) Madhavi Latha set up a fund for destitute Muslim women.
7) She was associated with organisations like Forum for Awareness of National Security and Samskruthi Telangana State.
8) She is known to offer her time, advice and guidance to many women, free of cost, in matters of education and health.
9) She supports various Hindu dharmic causes including issues of temple maintenance and relocation.
10) She also runs a gaushala (cow shelter) and gives regular talks on Hindutva and Indian culture in schools and colleges.
11) Founder and trustee of Viswanadha Foundation, another charitable trust for the underprivileged.
Personal:
– Madhavi Latha does not hail from a political family and can be called a passionate, political novice.
– Born and raised in a middle class family in Hyderabad’s old city, she is familiar with both Hindu and Muslim culture and way of life.
– Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Nizam College.
– Master’s degree in Political Science from Koti Women’s College, Osmania University. and a Master’s degree in Fashion Design from Coventry university.
– Madhavi Latha is the chairperson of Hyderabad based Virinchi Hospitals, along with her husband, Kompella Vishwanath.
– She was also involved with her husband’s software firm for a few years before their healthcare/ hospital venture.
– The mother of three, is noted for her decision to home school all her children, becoming all the more prominent, when the two older children were admitted to the BTech program in IIT Chennai while the youngest appears to be an equally promising eleventh grade school student.
– Her children’s homeschooling included cultural and spiritual aspects of a traditional education including the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Panchatantra.
– She is an ex teacher and when her children no longer require her, she hopes to continue teaching with the goal of helping under privileged children.
– She is also an accomplished bharatanatyam dancer with many performances to her credit.
– She is known to speak freely and openly about Hindu Dharma and Bharatiya Sanskriti (culture) with many of her talks and interviews going viral.
– She is an admirer of PM Modi’s vision for India, his dedication to the country and his hard work in laying the foundations for a strong, confident, culturally proud nation.
– Madhavi has often stated that her charitable work was inspired by Mr. Modi’s ideas and selfless service to the nation.
Wishing the BJP’s well accomplished, Kompella Madhavi Latha, the very best! A bold, well educated lady of many talents: a bharatanatyam dancer, a business woman, an educator, a social activist and a politician ready to take on a challenge. Fun fact: her children’s names are Lopamudra, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Modini. Unique names that are a testament to their parent’s respect and reverence for Indian culture and Hindu spiritualism.
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