Mangala got attached to the child the moment she set her eyes on that baby.
It is Mangala's desire for motherhood that saved the baby.
It was evident from what she told Chagini
Mangala never liked the child's fascination for CC even before she got to know that she is none other than the child's mother
That is the reason why she tried to prevent any possible meetings between CC and Nimboli because she was convinced that if CC asked the child to to SN the child would readily agree.That is the reason why she never let Anandi know about child marriage.
When she got to know that CC is none other than the child's mother she knew that child would choose to go with her mother without any hesitation
All this drama was because she knew very well that the child will not think twice before accepting Anandi as her mother.
She knew of the child's pre occupation with her mother and she knew there is no way she can get the child to put her in the place that she has for mother.
Mangala wanted the child for herself so that she can have some company in her misery.Don't think she ever loved the child like a mother would love her child.
Well this story is not about Anandi and Mangala but it is the story of an estranged mother and daughter Anandi and Nandini.CVs ensured right from the word go that the viewers are well aware of the child's true identity so where is the question of audience accepting Mangala as the child's mother when they know very well how the child was snatched from her mother's arms?
Besides Mangala knew very well how and why the child landed there so how can she stake claims on the child that too by allowing the lie to take roots?
She never had guts to tell the truth to the child even when the mother was no where on the horizon.
She allowed the child to believe the garbage bin story for her own benefits.
She can't generate positive feelings with her acts so she uses negative feelings the child had towards her mother and Akheraj family to draw the child closer.
When in BH she was terrified of the positive feelings that she created situations by making use of the fears insecurity of Anandi and her children.
She was never ever a principled woman not before definetely not now.