Congress MLA from Dornakal in Warangal district D.S. Reddya Naik along with his daughter M. Kavitha, a former Congress MLA from Mahabubabad, joined the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) here on Tuesday.
In a related development, Independent MLA from Narsampet Donthi Madhava Reddy joined the Congress in the presence of AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Mr. Naik and Ms. Kavitha were admitted into the party by TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao by offering them party scarves. The two leaders joined the party along with their supporters and others from Narsampet constituency.
Speaking after admitting them into the party, Mr. Rao said Mr. Naik’s joining was not among the petty political crossover but he had taken the decision to strengthen the hands of the Telangana government and to work for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes. He requested Mr. Naik to take along Satyavathi Rathod in his constituency and work in tandem as everybody would get their due importance in the party.
Mr. Rao stated that his government was committed to the development of tribal communities and the proposal of 12 per cent reservation and upgrading all ‘thandas’ as gram panchayats were taken in that direction. He announced that a commission would be constituted soon for the purpose.
Stating that the government was aiming at taking its schemes to all thandas, gond/chenchu gudems, he noted that the ‘Kalyana Laxmi’ scheme would be extended to tribal girls too and they would be paid Rs. 51,000 each by the government on their marriage.
Meanwhile, Mr. Madhava Reddy, who was denied the Congress ticket in the Assembly elections, contested as party rebel and defeated his Congress, TRS and TDP rivals. He was expelled by the Congress party for anti-party activities. However, he met the AICC general secretary on Tuesday and announced his decision to join the party.
