Manda Krishna Madiga, the prominent Dalit leader and founder-president of the Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS), has emerged as a strong contender for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Andhra Pradesh.
The seat became available following the resignation of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader V. Vijay Sai Reddy in January 2025, and the by-election is slated for May 9, with nominations closing on April 29.
Sources indicate that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu, during a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, agreed to cede the seat to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a key ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Madiga’s candidature gained traction after his own meeting with Shah on the same day, where he expressed gratitude for Andhra Pradesh’s ordinance on sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs), a long-standing demand of the Madiga community.
Political analysts suggest that nominating Madiga could strengthen the BJP’s outreach to SC sub-castes, particularly Madigas, ahead of crucial assembly elections in Bihar (2025) and Tamil Nadu (2026).
The move is also seen as a strategic effort by the TDP to consolidate Madiga support in Andhra Pradesh, where the community forms a significant voter base, especially as rival YSRCP is perceived to have stronger backing among the Mala community.
His alignment with the BJP, evident since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public support for Madiga’s cause in 2023, further strengthens his candidacy.
As the BJP finalizes its candidate, all eyes are on whether Manda Krishna Madiga will secure the Rajya Sabha seat, marking a significant milestone in his fight for social justice and political representation for the Madiga community.