Rayapati Sambasiva Rao is a businessman turned politician from Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh and representing Congress Party. He is Chairman of Jayalakshmi Group of companies which are majorly involved in Tobacco export business. He is Member of Parliament (MP) from Guntur Constituency. Rayapati Sambasiva Rao is elder in Rayapati Brothers who have strong hold on the politics of the district. He owns RVR Group of Educational Institutions, MD of Transstroy India Limited and Member of Tobacco Board, AICTE and TTD.
Rayapati is a senior politician of the Congress Party in the state. He has been member of various committees at state and central levels. He was also a Member of Rajya Sabha during 1982-88 and later contested to Lok Sabha from Guntur.
Rayapati Sambasiva Rao is a follower of late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. He is not consistent in his political statements on Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and also talking of retirement from politics. He has been attacking state minister from Guntur District Kanna Lakshminarayana on corruption charges to settle his rivalry with him and take control of the party in the district. He also sent a much controversial letter to Sonia Gandhi listing most corrupt ministers in the state cabinet. He also expected a ministry in the recent cabinet reshuffle at the center. Disappointed at various levels, Rayapati Sambasiva Rao is slowly making his mind on the future course of action. Recently Rayapati warned the Congress leadership of losing the state if it continues to ignore the state in sharing power and giving due priority in releasing funds. Following is the brief profile of Rayapati Sambasiva Rao: