Date:22/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/22/stories/2007052201220600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Madiga leader refuses to call off hunger strike

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: A combined effort by the Andhra Pradesh Government, the Opposition parties on Monday to convince the agitating Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) president, Manda Krishna Madiga, to call off his five day-old hunger strike failed.

A delegation comprising Minister for Social Welfare Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose, Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary K. Narayana and Satish Mahajan of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi spent over two hours in Mr. Krishna's residence in Warasiguda, after attending an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Y S. Rajasekhara Reddy to discuss the issue of Scheduled Castes categorisation.

They said Dr. Reddy had written a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to see that the Commission headed by Justice Usha Mehra completed its study and submitted its report within three months. Mr. Krishna Madiga refused to accept this plea on the ground that this would result in the Madigas losing yet another academic year. He instead wanted the Government to ensure submission of the report within a month and an assurance that a Bill on categorisation would be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament.

Self-immolation bid

He also wanted the delegation to bring the Chief Minister to him, along with an action plan. As the Ministers and others were leaving, an MRPS activist Babu Rao attempted self-immolation.