New Delhi, 25 June 2026
In a gesture that spoke louder than any speech, Chintakayala Vijay, newly elected Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh, chose a traditional Mangalagiri handloom shawl for his oath-taking ceremony. In an era of designer suits and formal blazers, Vijay walked into India’s upper house wrapped in the living heritage of Andhra Pradesh’s weavers, making an unmistakable statement about the kind of leader he intends to be.
The Mangalagiri shawl was not a prop or a political statement — it was an act of gratitude and solidarity with the thousands of artisan families whose craft defines the cultural identity of his home state. At 41, with a Master’s in Political Science (Political Management) from George Washington University and 17 years of grassroots service in the Telugu Desam Party, Vijay brings to the Rajya Sabha both international perspective and a deeply grounded understanding of Andhra’s people and their livelihoods.
The son of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, Vijay was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha.
The soul of Mangalagiri: 500 years of living heritage
Mangalagiri — the “Auspicious Hill” — has been a centre of handloom excellence for over 500 years, its legacy dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire. Famous for its durable cotton weaves and stunning metallic zari borders, the fabric holds a prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, one of India’s most celebrated textile certifications.
Today, nearly 5,000 local weavers continue this heritage as their primary livelihood, artisans whose daily labour goes largely unseen, yet whose work is woven into the very fabric of Andhra’s identity.
This heartfelt gesture also aligns with the consistent and proactive efforts of Shri Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, who also serves as the MLA of Mangalagiri constituency. Lokesh has long championed the region’s handloom community — referring to the weavers as respected “artisans” and “cultural artists” who weave identity into every thread. He actively promotes Mangalagiri handlooms by proudly wearing them and gifting them on important occasions. Notably, he gifted a beautiful handwoven Mangalagiri saree to his wife, Nara Brahmani, during Sankranti 2025. Brahmani publicly expressed her gratitude, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship and tradition behind the fabric. Lokesh has also gifted specially designed Mangalagiri stoles to national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji.
Beyond personal promotion, Lokesh has driven concrete welfare initiatives for the weaving community, including the Nethanna Bharosa Scheme (annual financial assistance of ₹25,000 per handloom family along with free electricity), health insurance support, a ₹5 crore Thrift Fund, infrastructure development, and dedicated marketing efforts to ensure artisans receive fair compensation.
By choosing Mangalagiri for one of the most important days of his political life, Vijay brought these 5,000 families — their skill, struggle, and artistry — into the halls of Parliament and carried forward this spirit of respect and recognition.
“This Mangalagiri shawl is not just cloth, it carries the hard work, devotion, and dreams of our weavers. As I step into the Rajya Sabha, I carry the soul of Andhra Pradesh with me. I am committed to working for the welfare of our artisans, farmers, and youth, and for the bright future of our state under the guidance of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu garu,” said Chintakayala Vijay, Rajya Sabha MP, Andhra Pradesh.
A new voice for Andhra in the Upper House
Vijay enters the Rajya Sabha at a significant moment for Andhra Pradesh — a state working to regain its economic momentum and cultural confidence. With his academic background, party experience, and an evident commitment to the people behind the politics, he brings a distinctive combination of intellect and groundedness to national legislative discourse.
His priorities, as he has publicly stated, are clear: amplifying the voices of Andhra’s youth, farmers, and artisans at the national level. In wearing Mangalagiri on Day One, he has already shown that for him, political office is not about personal elevation — it is about representation in the truest sense of the word.
The TDP government in Andhra, led by Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, has consistently advocated welfare measures for the handloom sector — including health insurance for weavers, subsidised power for looms, and marketing support to ensure artisans receive fair value for their exceptional work. Vijay has made clear he intends to carry that commitment into the corridors of Parliament.