Politics and castes are interdependent and inseparable in Andhra Pradesh. Even though a great leader like Puchalapalli Sundarayya who removed caste from his name hails from Andhra, there are many who naively see caste as an identity that gives them a false sense of belonging.
Recent comments by the Minister Kodali Nani calling Chandrababu Naidu as the leader for Kamma caste shows the level that YCP leaders have stooped down to. Caste politics are not new to Andhra Pradesh as Congress and TDP shouldered Reddy and Kamma communities in their respective reigns. All the chief ministers of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh belong to either Reddy or Kamma communities, the lone exception being Konijeti Rosiah (2009 Sep – 2010 Nov) who hails from Vysya community. NTR and Nadendla Bhaskar Rao ruled from 1989-94 followed by Marri Chenna Reddy, N. Janardhana Reddy and Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy. After Naidu’s tenure from 1995-2004, YS Rajasekhara Reddy took over the chair from 2004-2009 followed by N Kiran Kumar Reddy (2010-2014). Chandrababu Naidu became the first Chief Minister of the newly formed Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation.
Until YS Jagan, no leader had talked about castes directly in the capacity of Chief Minister. He attacked election commissioner Nimmagadda Prasad over his caste, the latter’s only mistake being to postpone local body elections as a result of the Coronavirus. YSRCP led by the CM himself tried hard to show the decision in an entirely malicious light by painting it with caste color.
Former intelligence chief AB Venkateswara Rao who was suspended on allegations of corruption was also attacked by the YSRCP on similar lines. This practice took an ugly turn when a respectable doctor and MD of Ramesh Hospitals, Ramesh Babu was attacked over his caste after a hotel where he was running a Covid care centre caught fire leading to loss of lives and property.
It would be a lot more sensible if CM YS Jagan does not forget the fact that his victory was a result of votes from every community and not a single one. The YSR Congress leaders and their social media army must abstain from creating such a vitriolic atmosphere between communities. It might come back some day to haunt them. Intellectuals and social workers are suggesting the Government to not do caste politics and work towards a society that is free of caste based divisions.
