http://timesofindia
Telangana: Dalits root for bifurcation as they sense political clout
TNN 17 December 2009, 03:20am IST
NEW DELHI: The acrimonious debate over Telangana saw a new voice jump
into the fray when dalits from coastal and Rayalaseema regions on
Wednesday said Andhra Pradesh should be bifurcated in the interest of
marginalised sections. They said dalits would soon launch `Jai Andhra'
agitation to mobilise anti-Telangana regions in favour of division of
state.
A strong section of SC leadership from the state slammed TDP, Praja
Rajyam Party and anti-Telangana leaders in Congress, saying, "They
come together in a tight embrace to divide SCs but are singing
different tunes when it comes to dividing the state."
The comment is significant as "dividing dalits" refers to
sub-categorisation which has turned Malas and Madigas into competing
groups for quota benefits. The AP assembly had passed a unanimous
resolution to demand that Centre amend the Constitution after courts
struck down sub-categorisation as illegal.
Karem Sivaji of Mala Mahanadu, Mallela Venkatrao of Mala Mahasabha and
Raja Sundar Babu of AP Dalit Sangharshan Samiti, addressing a press
conference in the Capital, said division of AP would turn the
marginalised SCs into key political players in both states.
He said bifurcation would make SCs a key social group in Andhra and
coastal regions alongside OBC Kapus while they would also become
numerically significant in Telangana. "The division will make SCs
strong contenders for CM's post in both states," they said.
At the same time, the dalit leaders said it would please both Malas
and Madigas, who have otherwise turned against each other over
sub-categorisation. "Malas will be happy in Andhra and coastal where
they are numerous while Madigas are in overwhelming numbers in
Telangana and will see their stock rise socially and politically,
they said.
Sivaji claimed the anti-statehood agitation was "sponsored" by big
business interests that had property and investments in Hyderabad. "It
has nothing to do with the concern of common man," he said.
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