Rajhmundary, February 28: The Congress appears to be consolidating its traditional vote bank the Kapus who are numerically strong in this region.
A significant chunk had switched loyalty to Chiranjeevi when he came on the political scene in 2009 elections. But now, with Chiranjeevi merging his Praja Rajyam Party with the Congress, a majority of them are set to come back to the Congress.
When Chiranjeevi entered the political scene with a bang two-and-a-half year ago, he raised hopes among Kapus of emerging as a dominant community ending the dominance of two castes in politics. But after the PRP’s electoral debacle and its recent merger with the Congress, their hopes of seeing Chiranjeevi as a chief minister do not appear to be that strong.
With YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, also trying to emerge as an alternative political force to the Congress in the State, some Kapus shifting to his side cannot be ruled out. At the same time, the TDP is also likely to make moves to woo Kapus to its fold.
In the twin Godavari districts, Kapus appear divided on the issue of Chiranjeevi joining the Congress bandwagon though the majority of them seem to be on Chiranjeevi’s side.
The supporters of the merger sense in it a future opportunity for their leader to ascend the chief minister’s throne while saving the Congress government in the state for the present.
In tune with this line of thinking, Kapus are now calling Chiranjeevi as the ‘dalapathi’ (commander of forces) of the Congress and the party high command too is planning to leverage on his cine glamour in the next elections.
In this light, the ‘Jana Prabhanjana Sabha’ (caste consolidation meeting) held by Kapus in Rajahmundry today is being seen as a move to strengthen the hands of Chiranjeevi though, ostensibly, it was intended to put pressure on the government to take up welfare programmes for the community. “Being the only charismatic leader in the Congress works to the great advantage of Chiranjeevi. This improves his chances of becoming the chief minister in future,” felt some Kapu leaders who attended the meet.
“We want to see a Kapu man as the chief minister, whether it is Chiranjeevi or any other person,” they opined.
Since Kapunadu was being organised ahead of the MLC elections, it was likely to benefit the Congress in the polls, according to some leaders.
However, Kapunadu state vicepresident Mallela Phalguna said the meet was meant to demand BC status to Kapus in the entire state and it might or might not help Chiranjeevi.
On the other hand, Kapunadu district president Puram Manga Rao said Chiranjeevi would be immensely benefited by Kapunadu.
–Agencies