The MLAs stressed that although Madigas constitute a majority within the SC population in Telangana, their presence in key political positions remains minimal.
Published May 23, 2025 | 10:50 PM ⚊ Updated May 23, 2025 | 10:50 PM
The letter was signed by Mandula Samel, Vemula Veeresham, Kavvampally Satyanarayana, Adluri Lakshman Kumar, Thota Laxmikantha Rao and Kale Yadaiah.
Synopsis: Six Madiga MLAs in Telangana have written to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, urging cabinet representation for their community ahead of the long-delayed cabinet expansion.
Six Madiga MLAs from Telangana have written to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, pressing for ministerial berths for their community ahead of the long-pending cabinet expansion in the state.
Citing decades of loyalty to the Congress party and their community’s contribution to the party’s recent electoral success, the legislators highlighted what they called a “glaring imbalance” in Scheduled Caste (SC) representation.
The letter was signed by Mandula Samel (Thungathurthy MLA), Vemula Veeresham (Nakrekal MLA), Kavvampally Satranaratana (Manakondur MLA), Adluri Lakshman Kumar (Dharmapuri MLA), Thota Laxmikantha Rao (Jukkal MLA), and Kale Yadaiah (Chevella MLA).
Notably, while Yadaiah signed the letter addressed to the Chief Minister, he did not co-sign the one sent to the AICC President.
The MLAs stressed that although Madigas constitute a majority within the SC population in Telangana, their presence in key political positions remains minimal.
“The Madiga community, with a population exceeding nearly 50 lakh in Telangana (as per the 2011 Census and estimated growth), has been a steadfast and loyal supporter of the Indian National Congress since Independence,” the letter reads.
“In the recent Assembly elections, our community extended its wholehearted support, contributing significantly to the party’s victory and return to power in the State. Despite forming nearly two-thirds of the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in Telangana, our representation in key positions remains minimal.”
The legislators also pointed to the community’s lack of representation in the MLC elections held earlier this year.
“Of the three SC-reserved Parliamentary constituencies, two were allotted to the Mala community, as was the lone SC-reserved MLC seat from the MLA quota,” they wrote.
They further noted that the current Deputy Chief Minister and Assembly Speaker also belong to the Mala community.
While acknowledging that a member from a sub-caste of the Madiga community holds a cabinet post, the letter maintained that the wider community “remains without meaningful cabinet representation.”
The MLAs also cited the SC categorisation bill passed earlier this year, which acknowledges socio-economic distinctions within the SC communities – including those of the Madiga population – and called on the Congress to honour its commitments to socio-economic justice.
“Sadly, under the previous BRS government, we were entirely excluded from the cabinet. We had hoped that under Congress governance, historical imbalance would be corrected,” the letter stated.
“We have no objection to any one of us being considered for a cabinet berth, and we stand united in this request.”
The Telangana cabinet expansion remains pending 18 months after the Revanth Reddy-led government assumed power, and frustration among ministerial hopefuls has been mounting in recent months.
Currently, the Telangana cabinet comprises only 12 ministers, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy himself holding 12 additional portfolios, including Municipal Administration and Urban Development, General Administration, and Law & Order.
On 13 April, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal publicly criticised attempts to delay his induction into the cabinet.
“Jana Reddy, a minister for three decades, is now citing the need for representation for Rangareddy and Hyderabad in the cabinet to delay my entry,” he said.
The following day, Mancherial MLA Prem Sagar Rao criticised the leadership’s handling of the expansion process.
“Those who recently joined the party, from BJP and BRS, are asking for ministership, just like those who didn’t even move during the padayatra,” Rao said.
“Those who came yesterday and the day before are trying to suppress the voices of Adivasis, Dalits, other minorities, and even me.”
He further questioned whether his efforts for the party were being overlooked, warning that unfair allocation of cabinet berths could cost the party support in Mancherial.
Article 164(1A) of the Constitution stipulates that the size of the Council of Ministers should not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the State Legislative Assembly. For Telangana, this cap is 18 ministers, with a constitutional minimum of 12.
With just six more ministerial berths available and multiple aspirants vying for them, the upcoming cabinet expansion is likely to pose a significant political test for the Chief Minister.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
