Is BJP eyeing votes of AP BCs settled in Hyderabad?

Marthi Subrahmanyam
Vijayawada

Is the BJP trying to step into the shoes of the TDP? Did it eye on the votes of Andhra settlers in Hyderabad? Is it devising a strategy to corner the BC voters from AP in Hyderabad?  

It may be recalled that the KCR government, soon after taking reins of state administration, cancelled quota for 26 BC communities in Telangana. After eight years, the BJP opposed the withdrawal of quota only to eye on the BC voters of AP. What is the motive behind the BJP submitting memoranda to Governor Tamilisai at Raj Bhavan?
Within three months of TRS coming to power annulled quota for 26 AP BC communities in Telangana attracting criticism from AP BC communities then. But, Telangana BC communities did not react on the issue. It took place eight years ago. No political outfit raised its voice on the issue then. To the surprise of one and all, the BJP took up the issue stirring a lot of political interest. Let us analyse the reasons for the BJP’s latest political move.

The BJP is exploring all possible ways to gain good grip over Telangana. In a latest move, the settlers issue became handy for the BJP. The BJP which is spreading its tentacles in Telangana wants to include the 26 BC communities, who settled in Hyderabad long back, quota issue in its armoury.

The TRS government on Aug 14, 2014 issued a GO cancelling quota for the 26 BC communities of AP. These communities enjoyed the fruits of quota in undivided AP.
At a recent BJP training camp, the BJP MP CVL Narasimha Rao, who addressed on media relations, also touched the issue of withdrawal of quota for 26 AP BC groups. He asked the party rank and file to take up the issue to the affected BC communities to render them social justice. Consequently, the BJP OBC Morcha entered the fray. OBC  National Morcha president Dr K Lakshman led a OBC delegation to Governor Tamilisai Sounder Rajan and submitted her a memorandum reviving of 26 BC communities and include them under the BC Welfare Department. In fact, BJP MPs GVL and Dr Lakshman discussed about it 10 days ago to woo the AP settlers in Hyderabad towards the BJP fold.

But, the Andhra settlers in Hyderabad since long have become the traditional support base of the TDP. In the wake of Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy becoming the CM, the Rayalaseema settlers shifted their loyalty to the Congress. Thus the Andhra settlers in Hyderabad divided their loyalties between TDP and Congress, but did not support any other party.

After the bifurcation of AP, Chandrababu Naidu proceeded to AP. Leading to dwindling of TDP operations in Hyderabad. Even after the bifurcation, the TDP got 15 seats and BJP with the support of TDP got 5 seats in constitutencies in and around Hyderabad. After the vote for note controversy, the TDP leadership quit Telangana. In this backdrop, the settlers inclined towards the TRS as it was inevitable for them. The TRS leadership gave them MLA and municipal corporator seats in proportion to their population and won their hearts.

In the last GHMC elections, the TRS candidates won from all divisions that have sizeable population from AP. The people who belonged Telangana districts but settled in Hyderabad lent their support to the BJP.

Thus the BJP, which know the importance of Andhra settlers, suddenly changed the political strategy and took up the Andhra BCs issue stirring up curiosity. The eight year old issue helps the BJP get the support of at least 50 lakh people. Since the issue is predominantly a state government subject, the BJP wants to fight for the quota at the state level. The BJP has decided to lend support to the Andhra BCs  behind the screen.

The BJP leadership, observing that the Andhra settlers are inclining towards the TRS, wants to convert them into its vote bank, if the latest political developments are any indication.