Caste and politics are difficult to disengage. When Manda Krishna takes up cudgels on behalf of Minister Shankar Rao, there is apparently more than what meets the eye.
It may be recalled that MRPS leader Manda Krishna supported Dr Shankar Rao in a big way in his fight against Home Minister Sabitha Indrareddy, even though Rao belongs to Mala caste.
Krishna claimed that he would come to the rescue of any dalit, if his or her self-respect was violated.
However, Karem Sivaji, leader of Mala Mahanadu, very surprisingly, criticized Manda Krishna for his action and raised doubts the latter’s intentions in his action. Why is Krishna giving caste color to a political issue, Sivaji questioned.
Manda Krishna’s intentions are not noble, and he has something up his sleeve, Sivaji said. He suspects the MRPS leader wants Sabitha to be removed from her ministry to pave way for Deputy Chief Minister Damodara Raja Narasimha to take over as Home Minister. Raja Narasimha belongs to Madiga community, and is seen as patronizing Manda Krishna.
