Hyderabad: Chennur MLA Vivek Venkataswamy officially took oath as a minister in the Telangana cabinet on Sunday, marking his first-ever induction into the state government. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Raj Bhavan, saw Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan (or Jishnu Dev Varma, as reported) administering the oath of office and secrecy to Vivek, who recited his name Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy before pledging his commitment to his new responsibilities.
Vivek Venkataswamy’s induction comes as a significant step for the Congress leadership, which has recognised his role in the Telangana movement and his deep-rooted political legacy. After taking his oath, Vivek expressed heartfelt thanks to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who stood by him at the ceremony.
Joining Vivek in the ministerial ranks were Adluri Laxman and Vakiti Srihari, who also took oath at the same ceremony attended by Revanth Reddy, the Governor, and several senior ministers.
Vivek’s political journey is closely tied to his family’s public service legacy. He is the younger son of former Union Minister Gaddam Venkataswamy, fondly known as ‘Kaka,’ and Kalavathi. Raised in a family steeped in social service, Vivek completed his schooling at Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet and later earned his MBBS from Osmania Medical College. His upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of responsibility towards society, a trait he carried into public life.
Following his father’s footsteps, Vivek entered politics in 2009, contesting from the Peddapalli Lok Sabha seat and winning as an MP. Between 2009 and 2014, he played a pivotal role in the Telangana statehood movement, challenging the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and joining other MPs in Delhi to pressure the central government. His activism, including participation in dharnas and rail rokos, saw him arrested on several occasions. Through initiatives like the launch of V6 channel, Vivek worked to amplify the aspirations of the Telangana movement.
His induction into the Telangana cabinet marks a new chapter in his political career, carrying forward the legacy of his father while carving out his own mark in the state’s governance.