Caste groups come into picture
NAVEENA GHANATE
Hyderabad
A week after announcing tickets for 115 Assembly constituencies, voices of discontent are growing in the BRS. Even those who were silent until recently are now openly criticising the BRS high command for raising their hopes and then quickly dashing them.
The fact that some leaders have brought caste-based equations into the fray has become a topic of discussion in the BRS.
In Telangana not even one person from the Mudiraj community has been allotted a BRS ticket. KCR had to call Mudiraj leaders who were hoping for a ticket and talk to them as they raised concerns.
Thatikonda Rajaiah is also trying with the support of MMRPS leader Manda Krishna Madiga. Rajya Sabha MP and National BC Welfare Association President R. Krishnaiah said when BC associations asked political parties to allocate 50 per cent of the seats to them the BRS gave them only 21 seats and gave more seats to the upper castes humiliating the BCs. All leaders of backward communities are closing ranks to get the Mancherial ticket for BCs and are preparing for a direct stir.
The district has three constituencies, namely Mancherial, Bellampally and Chennuru of which two are reserved.
Due to lack of opportunities in the above two constituencies, and the large BC population, the BCs are determined to get represented in the elections. However, the BRS leadership gave it to sitting MLA Nadipelli Diwakar Rao who belongs to the Velama community.
BRS cadres said that caste issues should be quickly resolved before the situation gets out of hand. It may be mentioned here that 39 Reddys, six Kammas, 11 Velamas, 19 Schedule Caste individuals, 11 Schedule Tribe people and three people from the minorities were included in the 115-member list.
Dissidents hope that the BRS high command will fix all issues or they might have to take steps soon. Some BRS leaders are even bringing in caste unions to support their demands.
KCR has not taken any action against Mynampally Hanumantha Rao’s comments. This seems to have led to dissidents mustering courage to voice their choices.
Meanwhile, surveys are being conducted in constituencies to find out the strength of candidates and to gauge public dissatisfaction against sitting MLAs. This has given momentum to the campaign that at least 20 MLA candidates will change.
The Chief Minister, while announcing the list, had said that there could be some changes in it. Sources said that survey teams are looking at the electoral chances of candidates, local anti-incumbency factors, impact of this on other areas and any major policy or strategy changes required.
More surveys are in the pipeline, sources hinted. Changes will be made to the 115-member candidates list while issuing B-Forms, sources said. Due to this, the ticket hopefuls are trying to put up a show of strength astically.
