It came as a big surprise when CM Jaganmohan Reddy relieved pro-TDP IRS officer Gopinath from AP government service to go to his department in central services. Jagan did not show similar kindness towards another IRS officer Jasti Krishna Kishore. Moreover, the AP CM ordered and got serious cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the CID against Kishore. Both IRS officers were highly respected during the previous Chandrababu Regime. Why this differential treatment then? Political circles are suspecting that Jagan has spared Gopinath just because he belongs to the BC community. Gopinath is the son-in-law of former finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu. Yanamala is in the front rows to criticise Jagan regularly but CM showed soft corner to his kin.

It may be recalled that Jagan Reddy is focusing on attracting BC vote banks to safeguard his winning chances in the next elections from now itself. BJP accused YCP of even religiously converting BCs for electoral benefits. CM does not want to anger any BC community as of now. Moreover, Minister Anil Kumar Yadav and other leaders are safeguarding the interests of Gopinath because of their caste affiliations. But, Krishna Kishore belongs to Chandrababu Naidu caste. Jagan Reddy’s calculation these days is that he can happily harass Naidu community officials in any manner as it will earn him greater goodwill from other castes.