- By Vivek Raj
- Sun, 09 Jun 2024 04:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Telugu Desam Party's Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, who emerged as the richest candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is set to be sworn in as a Union Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet, a TDP leader confirmed on Sunday. Pemmasani, hailing from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur constituency, secured a landslide victory against his nearest rival, YSRCP's Kilari Venkata Rosaiah, winning by over 3.4 lakh votes. With declared family assets exceeding Rs 5,700 crore, he became the wealthiest candidate in the 2024 LS polls. Alongside Pemmasani, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, another TDP MP is likely to become the youngest-ever Union Cabinet Minister.
The TDP announced that Pemmasani, aged 48 and a political newcomer, will be part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. His inclusion in Modi's 3.0 cabinet marks a significant political ascent for the 48-year-old, succeeding former MP Galla Jayadev.
In a congratulatory post on X, former TDP MP Jayadev Galla praised Pemmasani's new role and highlighted his achievements as a doctor and entrepreneur.
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Congratulations to Dr. @PemmasaniOnX on being confirmed as a Minister of State. Such an honour to serve the nation at the central level during your very first political stint. The people of Guntur and entire AP are proud of you. All the best for your new role. May you bring… pic.twitter.com/NAvPMViMLc
— Jay Galla (@JayGalla) June 9, 2024
Who Is Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani?
Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, born in Burripalem village, Guntur, completed his MBBS from Medical College in Hyderabad. Later, he completed an MD in internal medicine at Geisinger Medical Center in Pennsylvania, USA. He worked as an attending physician at Johns Hopkins University-Sinai Hospital for about five years, also teaching residents and medical students.
Pemmasani, also the founder and CEO of UWorld, an online learning platform tailored for high-stakes exams, won the Ernst and Young Award as a young entrepreneur in 2020 in the US. UWorld's resources cater to the new digital exam formats, accessible across smartphones, tablets, and desktops, offering versatile preparation for students worldwide.
He founded the Pemmasani Foundation, conducting health camps and providing drinking water to villages in Guntur and Narasaraopet.
Replacing two-time parliamentarian Jayadev Galla in the Guntur Lok Sabha seat, Pemmasani's declared assets were the highest among the 8,360 candidates who contested the 2024 general elections.
According to his affidavit submitted to ECI, Pemmasani has investments in over 100 companies and has declared income in both India and the US. His movable assets include two Mercedes cars, one Tesla, and a Rolls Royce. Additionally, he owns land and property in Hyderabad, Tenali, and the US.
In Narasaopet, Pemmasani is renowned for his philanthropic works, including the construction of a school and organizing various social activities. TDP leaders state that he began actively participating in political campaigns during the 2014 elections and remained involved in the 2019 elections as well. Additionally, he plays an active role in the TDP's non-resident Indian cell.
Pemmasani's inclusion in Modi's cabinet reflects his swift rise in politics and is expected to bring a fresh perspective leveraging his medical background and entrepreneurial experience.
