How TDP MP was won over

The Congress’s social re-engineering formula helps the party win the support of TDP MP Manda Jagannatham for the trust vote, reports Ashok Das.

The Congress’s social re-engineering formula, intended to provide greater reservation in education and jobs to Madigas, a large sub-sect among Dalits in Andhra Pradesh, helped the party win the support of TDP MP Manda Jagannatham for the trust vote.

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The Madigas, Jagannatham belongs to this community, always complained that Malas, another sub sect among Dalits were cornering all the benefits of reservation.

Sources close to the MP said he was persuaded to sail with the UPA after Chief Minister Y Rajasekhar Reddy promised to take care of his interests, including fielding him from the same seat. Alternatively he was offered an assembly seat of his choice.