Who Is Madhavi Latha? Lok Sabha Candidate Lands In Another Controversy

Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha candidate Madhavi Latha Latha landed in a controversy when she allegedly insisted on checking the identity documents of burqa-clad women and asking them to lift their veil at a polling booth in Hyderabad on May 13. In a video circulating on social media, she can be seen instructing the women in burqas to show her their faces. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act at the Malakpet Police Station, the Hyderabad Collector's office confirmed in a post on X (Twitter).

Speaking to Asian News International, the BJP candidate justified herself by saying, "90% of booths are compromised. Police do not want to instruct female constables to check the face with the voter ID. When I requested the police officer, he said it was not his responsibility... I am not worried. I have stood for justice."

Who Is Madhavi Latha?

Pasupuleti Maadhavi Latha (who goes by Madhavi Latha in the media) is a Tollywood actor-turned-politician who joined the BJP in 2018 from the Guntur constituency. She contested the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election and is now in the race for the 18th Lok Sabha polls from Telangana's Hyderabad. 

Latha has now landed in a controversy over a viral video of her 'verifying' burqa-clad women's voter ID at polling booths. In April 2024, during Ram Navami celebrations, she landed in another controversy when she purportedly gestured to shoot an arrow at a mosque. However, she vehemently denied the action, Press Trust of India reported.

#WATCH | Telangana: BJP candidate from Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency, Madhavi Latha visits a polling booth in the constituency. Voting for the fourth phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 is underway. pic.twitter.com/BlsQXRn80C

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

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Latha was born in Hubli, Karnataka, and completed her education at Gulbarga University and Mysuru University. Further, she completed a Master's degree in Fashion Design from Coventry University in the UK. Before politics, she was a part of cinema and theatre. She made her acting debut with the Tollywood film Athidhi in 2007. 

Latha has also been vocal about the challenges she endured in her acting career. She mentioned in an interview that she faced sexual harassment from co-stars and filmmakers during her early days in the film industry. She alleged that when she declined to offer sexual favours to a prominent director, she struggled to find roles.