BJP’s Madhavi Latha Kompella: The Triple Talaq Campaigner To Contest Against Owaisi In Hyderabad (image-X/Kompella_MLatha)
Madhavi Latha, also known as Kompella Madhavi Latha, is spearheading the Bharatiya Janata Party”s (BJP) campaign in Hyderabad, a stronghold of the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) for decades. A 49 years old, she is the first female candidate fielded by the BJP in the city.
The chairperson of Hyderabad-based Virinchi Hospital was part of the NCC cadets in her school days. She got her bachelor’s degree in public administration from Nizam College and her post-graduation in political science from Koti Women’s College. She is not just a politician but a cultural activist, a professional Bharatnatyam dancer, and a mother to three children. Her husband, Vishwanath, is the founder and chairman of the Virinchi Hospital.
Beyond her familial roles, she is known for her regular lectures on Hindutva and Indian culture in schools and colleges. She has been the face of the BJP’s campaign for the abolition of triple talaq and has collaborated with Muslim women”s groups on various initiatives. Additionally, she runs a gaushala and actively participates in charity organisations such as the Lopamudra Charitable Trust and the LathaMa Foundation. Even though she has never been active in politics and does not belong to a political family, Madhavi Latha has been collaborating with various Muslim women’s groups and has also created a fund to help financially weaker sections of Muslim women and girls. Inspired by the Swachh Bharat campaign, she has set up around 2,176 toilets and sponsored education for young girls while engaging in religious activities.
Her candidature represents a strategic move by the BJP to challenge the long-standing dominance of the AIMIM in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency has seven assembly constituencies, including Bahadurpura, Goshamahal, Karwan, Malakpret, Yakatpura, Charminar, and Chandrayanagutta.
She faces stiff competition from Asaduddin Owaisi, the incumbent Member of Parliament who has held the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency since 2004 with overwhelming margins. Owaisi”s stronghold in the region, coupled with the significant Muslim voter population (around 59 percent), poses a formidable challenge to Madhavi Latha”s electoral aspirations.
Interestingly, the BJP’s vote share has risen from 7 percent in 2014 to 15 percent in the 2023 assembly elections, wherein the party secured 8 seats for the first time in its history in Hyderabad. Latha”s candidature comes amidst speculations of sitting Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh being fielded against Owaisi. Goshamahal is the only BJP-held assembly segment in the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency as the remaining six segments are with the AIMIM.
Owaisi has maintained a firm grip on the seat, with his father, Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi, preceding him in representing the constituency since 1984. Speaking of her electoral dreams, Madhavi Latha said, “My mission is to stay inspired and work towards making India a superpower in the ‘amrit kaal’ under Modi. I thank Amit Shah, J.P. Nadda, and Rajnath Singh ji for putting faith in me,” as quoted in The Print.
The BJP”s decision to field Madhavi Latha reflects its strategic intent to expand its presence in traditionally weak constituencies. As the Lok Sabha elections approach, all eyes are on Hyderabad, with the BJP pinning its hopes on Madhavi Latha to upset the political apple cart.
