Kapu leaders appear to be divided on the strategy to be pursued to force the TDP government implement the reservations for Kapus. While a strong Kapu section is with TDP, others, who could not see themselves in the ruling party, are determined to support Mudragada Padmanabham, who announced indefinite fast from February 5.
So far no vocal Kapu leader expressed their intension to go on indefinite fast in support of Mudragada. Telugu Desam party, which finds itself in a cleft stick, has always favored Kapus in many ways over others as a political strategy to keep the Kapu leaders in good humor. While there are three members- Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa, P Narayana and Ganta Srinivasarao, in Naidu’s cabinet, another Kapu leader Mandali Budha Prasad is deputy speaker. This is not new for the ‘cycle ‘ party, it has been the practice for NTR and Naidu since the inception of TDP in 1982. At one point of time,between 1994 and 2004 ,the TDP had nominated six members to Rajya Sabha to please the community. With this strong pro-Kapu policy, at least as a public posture, Naidu commands a considerable influence among the Kapus.
Today Naidu received support from quite unexpected quarters. Former Congress union minister A Sai Pratap advised Kapus restraint and asked them to give chief minister Chandrababu Naidu enough time to resolve the issue. He said,” We have been waiting for years. Let’s see what would come out of the Manjunatha Commission. Chief minister is assuring that the process would be completed in 9 months. Let’s wait for 9 months,” he appealed to Kapus from Rajamapeta, Kadapa district. He also cautioned Kapus not to demand overnight GOs. Because, he said, hurriedly issued GOs were liable to be quashed in the court causing permanent damage to the cause.
Sai Pratap is a Balija leader of stature in Rayalaseema. He was an uncrowned king of Rajamapeta Lok Sabha constituency till the state of Andhra Pradesh was divided in 2014. An ardent follower of YS Rajasekhar Reddy, Sai Pratap’s word carries weight among the Balija’s of Rayalaseema. Since yesterday Naidu has been in touch with Kapu leaders from East and West Godavari districts to put across his view on Mudragada’s demands. Though many leaders are for reservations for Kapus, they feel, Tuni violence , especially the burning of Ratnanchal Express, has done more harm to the Kapu cause than helping realization of their goal. Saner elements among the Kapus are likely to dissociate with confrontationist politics being espoused by some Kapu leaders, who are either getting marginalized in the changed political scenario of Andhra Pradesh or on the verge of retirement.
The split which is showing up is not a good sign for Mudragada’s proposed indefinite fast. His ‘last battle’ may get fizzled out in the face of resistance to taking extreme step to force the TDP honor its commitment to Kapus.
