On her appointment as the Home Minister, Sabitha said that it was all thanks to late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who had immense confidence in her that she would deliver the goods.

 

Coincidentally her late husband P Indra Reddy held the Home portfolio in N T Rama Rao’s cabinet before his death. It is the first time that a couple has held the same post.

 

Rajasekhara Reddy catapulted to power dethroning N Chandrababu Naidu in 2004 by beginning his 1450-km paadayatra from Sabitha’s hometown Chevella in 2003. Since then he had launched all his programmes from Chevella and the home minister became popular as ‘Chevella Chellamma’.

 

After the death of her husband P Indra Reddy in a car accident in 2000, Sabitha, a home maker till then entered active politics to fulfill the dreams of her husband. She was elected as MLA from Chevella constituency and was sent to the assembly again in 2004. She was sworn in as the Minister for Information Technology, Mines and Infrastructure and during a cabinet reshuffle in 2007, she was made the Minister for Mines and Geology, Handlooms and Textiles. In the General Elections held in 2009, Sabitha Indra Reddy contested and won from Maheswaram constituency.

 

Forty-seven-year-old Sabitha, a graduate in science, actively participates in the assembly proceedings and also adds value to the expert committees nominated to by the state government. She has also played an active part in developing the Congress Party in the region. She has travelled abroad to bring about a change in the lives of the people.

 

Immediately after the news of her appointment of Home Minister was announced, an emotion-filled Sabitha had said that it was so thrilling that she had become the Home Minister, as it was a post once held by her late husband Indra Reddy. She said that she was extremely thankful to Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as she had never imagined even in her dreams that she would be made the Home Minister. A delighted Sabitha said that it only showed the Chief Minister’s faith in a woman’s capability.  

 

On the growing terrorism and extremism, the Home Minister said that the people involved would be dealt ruthlessly. National Security Guards unit would begin full-scale operations shortly, she said. Taking pride in the state being a role model in tackling the naxal problem, Sabitha appealed to the naxalites to join the political mainstream and shun violence. The government at the Centre has always cited Andhra Pradesh as a model to other states to control the naxal menace.

 

On women becoming target of crimes, she said that curbing it was her top priority. She said that stringent measures were on way to deal with the issue. An exclusive helpline with a toll-free telephone number would deal with complaints of atrocities and violence on women, she said, adding that the helpline would address all complaints of domestic violence, eve-teasing and atrocities.

 

In her opinion, more women should be inducted into the police force and more women managed police stations should be established across the state.

 

Paying glowing compliments to the State police, the Home Minister said that the law and order situation in the state was under control. The ministry would do all to strengthen policing and make it more people-friendly, she said.

 

Commenting on the problems faced by the Gen X, Sabitha said that she was examining the issue of ragging, which had gone out of proportion as many students were committing suicides across the country unable to bear the torture inflicted by the seniors. The minister said they were coming up with a special law to tackle the menace of ragging.

 

Remembering YSR on his first death anniversary at Kadapa, the Home Minister said that none could match him and such a great leader may not be born again. Placing a wreath on his samadhi at Idupulapaya, Sabitha said that his innovative decisions that benefited poorer sections would linger in people's memory for ever. She said that people of the State were mourning YSR's death as they would when they lost their own family member.

 

She went on to add that the Rosaiah government was committed to continuing the welfare schemes launched during YSR rule and also ensure that they reached the poorer sections of the people.

 

Born to Mahipal Reddy and Venkatamma in Kotabasupalle Village, Thandoor Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Sabitha is blessed with three sons namely Karthik, Kaushik and Kalyan.