Roja Selvamani: Luck has finally smiled on actor-politician RK Roja as she got a berth in Andhra Pradesh Cabinet.
The two-time MLA and firebrand leader of YSRCP (YSR Congress Party) took oath as a minister on Monday.
The 49-year-old quickly announced her decision to bid adieu to shootings.
A member of the AP Assembly from Nagari, Chittoor district, Roja Selvamani announced that she will stop shooting for movies and TV programs. The actress will also stay away from the Telugu popular comedy show, Jabardasth.
After YSRCP stormed to power in the 2019 elections, Roja was a strong contender for the ministerial position. However, she had to contend with the post of chairperson of APIIC (Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure).
Roja has come a long way since she took a plunge into politics by joining TDP (Telugu Desam Party) in 1998.
Born to Nagaraja Reddy and Lalitha in the Chittoor district, Roja’s real name is Sri Latha Reddy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sri Padmavathi Women’s University, Tirupati.
Roja, a Kuchipudi dancer, made her debut in movies with the ‘Prema Thapassu’ (1991) movie. In the next year, she entered the Tamil film industry with ‘Chembaruthi’ directed by R.K. Selvamani, with whom she got married in 2002.
Roja Selvamani’s electoral debut was not that successful. She lost in the 2004 elections from Nagari and in the 2009 elections from the Chandragiri constituency.
Later, she quit TDP and joined Jagan Mohan Reddy led YSRCP and was elected from Nagari in the 2014 elections.
In the 2019 assembly elections, Roja Selvamani was elected again from Nagari, and this time YSRCP came to power with a huge majority.
CM Jagan had promised a revamp in his cabinet halfway through his tenure. This time, the YSRCP chief rewarded the minister post to Roja.
