Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pushpa Srivani got a reprieve on the issue of her caste.

The Appellate Authority on Wednesday certified that Pushpa Srivani hails from Scheduled Tribes (ST) category and her caste is Kondadora.

The Appellate Authority conducted inquiry into her caste status following the directions of AP High Court.

Petitions were filed in AP High Court stating that Pushpa Srivani was not an ST and she submitted a fake certificate claiming herself as ST. The petitions sought her removal from the cabinet and also disqualify her from the Legislative Assembly.

It may be recalled that the AP High Court issued notices in April 2021 to Pushpa Srivani, AP chief secretary, Election Commission of India, West Godavari district collector and Tahsildar of Buttayagudem on this issue.

Retired teacher K.Mani who filed the petition brought to the notice of the High Court that Pushpa Srivani contested Assembly polls with a forged ST certificate.

After Appellate Authority confirmed her as ST, Pushsir Vani reacted accusing TDP of filing such complaints and cases against her since 2014. She said few persons belonging to TDP were filing these cases even after courts rejected those petitions earlier.