Renuka Chowdhury

Renuka Chowdhury Biography

Renuka Chowdhury is a prominent politician from the state of Andhra Pradesh, associated with national level politics. She is currently associated with Indian national Congress, and a member of Rajya Sabha representing her state. She has earlier served as the Union minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Women and Child Development (2006-2009) and Tourism (2004-2006). She was elected twice from Khammam, in 1999 and 2004, and currently serving her term in Rajya Sabha. She has been a member of the Rajya Sabha for two consecutive terms and Chief Whip of Telugu Desam Parliamentary party from 1986 to 1998.

Renuka Chowdhury was born on 13 August 1954 in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. She is the daughter of Air Commodore Suryanarayana Rao and Vasundhara. She graduated in Industrial Psychology from Bangalore University, and later entered active politics only after her marriage. She married Sreedhar Chowdhury in 1973. Her entry to politics happened in 1984, when she joined Telugu Desam Party. She was a union minister of H. D. Deve Gowda during 1997-1998, handling the portfolios Health and Family Welfare.

She joined Congress party in 1998, and successfully contested two Lok Sabha elections from Khamman in Congress seat. During her tenure as MP, she has been a member of several committees, mostly related to child welfare and women empowerment. She served as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism during 23 May 2004 – 28 January 2006, and Minister of Women and Child Development during 29 January 2006 – 22 May 2009. She has given controversy remarks throughout her political career. Most recently she remarked that Parliament is not immune to casting couch, which stirred a lot of discussions.

Published: November 29, 2018

Updated: November 29, 2018