SNCN ACHARYULU
Hyderabad
During election time top political parties try to woo major communities to consolidate their vote banks. While the main political parties like the BRS, the Congress and the BJP in Telangana are chanting the ‘BC mantra,’ the YSR Congress, the TDP and the Jana Sena, BJP combo in Andhra Pradesh are chanting the ‘Kapu Mantra.’
The population of BCs in Telangana is 53.50% and in Andhra Pradesh, the Kapus are the largest community comprising 24.7% of the population.
The BCs of Telangana and the Kapus of Andhra Pradesh are facing a similar problem. The biggest problem of these two communities is the lack of unity. The disunity in these communities is helping political parties during elections.
In the upcoming Assembly elections in Telangana, the top political parties are trying to woo BCs by telling them that they will give priority to them while selecting candidates. During every election, the BCs of Telangana and the Kapus of Andhra Pradesh ask political parties for their due share of the seats. But this unity is not seen after the selection of candidates by political parties.
Among the BCs in Telangana, the Mudiraj and Yadavas are the dominant communities. While selecting candidates political parties give top priority to these two communities even though there are other castes among BCs. The BRS is implementing the BC Bandhu scheme to attract BCs.
In Andhra Pradesh, the Kapu community includes Kapu, Telaga, Balija and others and they are the biggest group in the state. Most Kapus live in the erstwhile East and West Godavari districts.
The ruling YSR Congress and the Jana Sena are trying to emerge as the champions of Kapus. During the last Assembly elections, the entire Kapu community sailed with the YSR Congress. But now the Kapus are divided among the YSR Congress, the TDP and the Jana Sena, BJP combo.
Most Kapu political leaders are in these three parties. But the Kapu community is divided between the YSR Congress and the Jana Sena. If the Jana Sena forges an alliance with the TDP as per speculations the Kapu community which is now sailing with the Jana Sena may change their opinion.
If the TDP and the Jana Sena have an alliance, and if they come to power TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu will become the Chief Minister. Some sections of the Kapu community may not accept that.
If Pawan Kalyan has a chance to become the Chief Minister most Kapus will support the Jana Sena. Even though Kapus were the largest community in United Andhra Pradesh and after the state’s bifurcation a Kapu leader never has become the Chief Minister.
