Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s politicking over the SC categorisation issue has created a rift within his own Telugu Desam Party.
Former minister Dokka Manikya Varaprasada Rao, who recently joined the TDP, is fretting and fuming at Minister Pattipati Pulla Rao for declaring that the TDP government was not considering any proposal to categorise the SCs.
“Pulla Rao should stop making irresponsible statements on SC categorisation without having any knowledge on the issue. SC categorisation has been on the TDP agenda for long. Whether somebody agrees or not, Manda Krishna Madiga is the leader of Madiga community fighting for categorisation. Pulla Rao should abide by the party,” he said.
Dokka went to the extent of announcing that he would raise a banner of revolt against the government if it really had no intention of categorising the SCs.
Ironically, it was Chandrababu Naidu who had kicked up the SC categorisation issue in late ‘90s and took it up with the Centre several times.
After gaining the support of Madigas in the previous elections, he conveniently dumped the issue for the last 15 years.
Now, the same issue is creating differences within the party. And he might have to face the heat of Madigas in the coming days.
