Hyderabad: With speculation mounting over a possible cabinet expansion in Telangana, Jukkal MLA Lakshma Kant Rao has made a pointed appeal to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy: ensure cabinet posts reflect the demographic makeup of the state.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Rao underlined that the Madiga community, a significant Scheduled Caste group, constitutes nearly 18% of Telangana’s population. He argued that their political representation must match this demographic weight.
Rao emphasised that the request for a ministerial seat for a Madiga leader wasn’t about political pressure but a genuine call for fair recognition. “We’re not making demands with an agenda—we’re simply asking for what’s right,” he said.
He praised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for taking the bold step of implementing sub-categorisation within Scheduled Castes, a long-standing demand that has particularly benefited the Madiga community. “That move was historic and just. Now, we’re seeking similar fairness in political inclusion,” he added.
Brushing aside any caste-based reading of recent appointments, Rao pointed out that Damodar Rajanarasimha’s induction into the cabinet was based purely on merit and experience. “It’s unfair to view every political move through the lens of caste. Some choices are made because of capability, plain and simple,” he noted.
He reiterated that the Madiga community has stood firmly by the Congress through thick and thin. “We’ve always been with the party and will continue to be. The meeting we held on Monday was just to communicate our expectations to the leadership clearly and respectfully,” Rao said.