State deputy chief minister Damodar Raja Narasimha is miffed over being sidelined by the Kiran Kumar Reddy regime. Sources said the deputy CM is very upset over the fact that he has been completely sidelined after being appointed deputy CM. "As is the convention, he should have been given the home portfolio, but the government has not obliged him with it. Followers of the deputy CM also want his photo to figure in all official functions and posters along with that of the chief minister. Damodar will raise these issues with the AICC leaders when he meets them in New Delhi on Tuesday," said one of his aides.

The deputy CM, who is in Delhi for a book release is expected to call on the central leaders after attending the function. In fact, it was a long wait for Damodar after it was announced on November 25, 2010, that a deputy CM will be appointed and that he would be the man. With his name doing the rounds, Damodar was forced to wait for several months before the appointment finally took place. "Madigas are the largest SC group, accounting for 49.2% of the total 1.24 crore SC population. Despite that, leaders from this community get a raw deal," said one of his followers.

It is very likely that Damodar may even join the race for CM post, hindering chances of other contenders like Botsa Satyanarayana and Chiranjeevi. The decision to join the race for next chief minister was made at a Madiga literary function in the city last week, held in honour of poet Gurram Joshua, where the community leaders promised their support for his candidature. As part of his strategy, Damodar is planning to mobilise Madigas in a big way. "With the Telangana movement losing its steam and SC categorisation movement spearheaded by the Madigas getting stuck in Parliament, we have decided that it is time to raise the political demand for chief ministership. Till now, Madigas were divided because of the Telangana movement. Now, the situation is rife for the community to unite for a political cause," said a Madiga leader.