Mudragada-led Kapu agitation may prove costly for TDP

The Kapu-agitation spear-headed by former Minister and Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham might prove damaging to the chances of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the next elections.

Despite government opposition, Mudragada has refused to call back the proposed ‘Chalo Amaravati’ padayatra on July 26.

For Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, this issue is expected to prove cost, simply for the fact that the Kapu community enjoys the largest vote share (nearly 25 per cent) in the state.

The community welds considerable influence in the two Godavari Districts of East and West. It should be observed that TDP came into power in the 2014 elections primarily because of the support of Kapu community from the two Godavari Districts.

Out of the 19 constituencies in East Godavari District, TDP won 12 constituencies while in the West Godavari District TDP, it clinched 14 seats and lost one to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of the total 15 seats.

In the 2014 elections, it was primarily due to the intervention of Telugu film star Pawan Kalyan, TDP secured most the of the seats in the Godavari districts. But there is no guarantee that Pawan Kalyan will be able to once influence the community. And if he does, political experts are of the opinion that the Kapus will more open to lean towards Mudragada.

The 2014 TDP election manifesto promised the Kapu community of reservation.  Now since Chandrababu government did not fulfil their promises, Mudragada has started sparking the issue.

Whatever said and done, if TDP does not come up some solution to appease the Kapus, the party is bound to lose the support of the dominant community.

Sensing an opportunity, reports has it that Jaganmohan Reddy of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) is already making efforts to win over the community.

• andhra pradesh
• kapu
• Mudragada