Birthday special: Facts about Congress leader, Renuka Chowdhury

New Delhi: Political leaders are known for their diplomatic and tactful answers but not all of them are the same. The hotheaded Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury knows no limits when it comes to expressing her thoughts.Born on August 13, 1954 she completes her 59th birthday today. Here we give you a glimpse of some interesting facts about the firebrand leader of Congress.Today a confident and self-assured Congress leader, Renuka started her political career with N T Rama Rao's Telegu Desam Party. She became the frontrunner for the Telegu Desam Parliamentary Party during her tenure as Rajya Sabha member.She was elected as Rajya Sabha member for two consecutive times, from 1986 to 1998.From 1997-98, she became the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in H D Deve Gowda cabinet.In 1999 and 2004 she won the Lok Sabha seat from Khammam constituency. After she left the TDP and joined Congress party in 1998 she held an important position in the UPA cabinet. In 2004, she became the Minister of State for Tourism and in 2006 she became the Minister for Women and Child Development.She also held the membership of Committee of Finance from 1999-2000 and Committee on the Empowerment of Women from 2000-2001.She introduced a landmark in Indian law system by navigating the famous bill to prevent domestic violence against women.Renuka very bluntly raised her voice against Sri Ram Sena in response to the attack orchestrated on youngsters in a pub in Mangalore celebrating Valentine's Day.She urged the youngsters to come out and visit pubs fearlessly. Her advice even resulted in a case against her by the Mayor of the city.Since Renuka did not have a brother, she lit up the pyre of her father Air Commodore S N Chowdary who breathed his last in 2011. Renuka also performed the last rites of her father.Let's have a look at some interesting photographs of Renuka and family:Renuka's daughter TejaswiRenuka on the sets of television serial KaliRenuka's daughter Poojita on her wedding day