Backward castes in Andhra Pradesh are reportedly marginalized and cornered for ages together at least in politics despite majority of BC voters in the state. Whether people/voters from BC communities had caste feelings or not, the trend in the AP politics and ruling Reddy and Kamma communities (who constitute 6.5 and 4.8 % of state population according to reports) for decades together neglecting such a large community (52% of state population according to reports) made them feel that only BC leader could understand their pains. However, they never had any choice other than to await the moment - the right moment wherein a BC leader adorns the chief minister's seat. But, their wishes have been still unfulfilled ever after decades of formation of Andhra Pradesh.

The reports also indicated that only BC leader could understand and solve the problems of such a large neglected community. A detailed observation at AP history proves that backward classes are the ones who have been discriminated to the core and politics too was no exception. So far twenty five chief ministers ruled Andhra Pradesh and there was one dalit chief minister-D Sanjevaiah and remaining 24 times leaders were from forward class communities. Isn't it not a sign of discrimination that  so far no BC leader was able to reach the chief minister's seat?

Entry of Chiranjeevi:

When Chiranjeevi first entered the politics with Praja Rajyam Party, the motive was very clear and it reached scores of people from Backward communities. People reportedly rejoiced that a leader has finally come to solve their problems and erase the discrimination being meted out to people from backward classes in the state for ages together. Chiranjeevi appeared like an Ambedkar to backward classes. Some even believed that Ambedkar reincarnated to eradicate the caste based discrimination in Andhra Pradesh.

Samaikyanyayam- equal justice:

The motive of Chiranjeevi has always been the same--samaikyanyayam (equal justice). With the same motto, he took forward Praja Rajyam Party. And having convinced that Congress could do better justice to BC s if he joins that party, Chiranjeevi sacrificed his political future and merged PRP with Congress for the same samaikyanyayam. This was even stated by Chiranjeevi while he merged PRP into Congress.

The reports indicated that Chiranjeevi would have definitely bagged at least 15 seats in the recently concluded by-polls had he not merged PRP with Congress. But, the political observers found him to be more sacrificing person and a committed politician. His aim was to stabilize the government as no good leader would destabilize the government and cause damage to the public money.

Cong moves miles away from BC s' hearts-Role of Congress in AP politics:
Congress party ruled Andhra Pradesh for decades together. It has been offering CM posts to the leaders from Kamma, Reddy, Velama and Brahmin communities, who comparatively constitute a minor percentage of the total population of the state.  The party so far never let any a leader from backward caste adorn the CM throne. The Congress party has already moved miles away from the hearts of BC communities' people. The analysts said that this was the main reason why Congress wasn't able to retain its seats in by-polls.

People knew Chiranjeevi, the BC leader, was in the Congress. But, they also reportedly got the messages that even a mega-star will be corned in politics as he belonged BC community. The anger was against the Congress, which made them tilt towards another alternative YSRC.

Importance of allotting nominated posts to BC s:

Will Congress party at least rectify its mistake and allot nominated posts to BC s is the bigger question among the party leaders today. BC leaders, on the other hand, are reminding the chief minister as to how 67 nominated posts, including speaker posts, were allotted to Reddy community during YSR regime. In fact, TDP leaders Devender Goud and Thammineni Seetaram earlier questioned over this alleged unfair act.

In case, the present chief minister too follows the foot steps of late YS Rajashekara Reddy then the future of Congress party would undoubtedly be at stake.  The political analysts have also observed that despite Congress party not giving due importance to BC communities so far, the Congress party managed to come to power due to the votes by a large number of Christians, Reddys and Dalits used to cast their votes. But, with the entry if YSR Congress, the traditional Christian vote bank of Congress went for a toss. And on top of it, even Reddy vote bank too got scattered. So, the experts observed and strongly opined that there is only alternative for Congress party, which is BC vote bank.

Already, Chandrababu Naidu noticed the scattered vote bank of Christians and Dalits. The experts observed that it was the only reason why Babu came out with BC declaration (stating he would be allotting 100 MLA tickets to BC candidates). So, in order to put a check to YSRC and also Chandrababu Naidu, ruling Congress in the state should give 50 per cent nominated seats to leaders from Backward Classes as an immediate measure and in future it should declare Chiranjeevi as the chief minister candidate for 2014 elections. Otherwise, the future of Congress would be uncertain in the state.

Will Congress realize the importance of BC s and their influence at least now? May be yes, said political analysts. Congress, in fact, has ball in its court. Will it play cleverly or pass it on to Chandrababu Naidu is a million dollar question.

Inputs from: Caste and Faction Among the Dominant Caste: The Reddis and Kammas of Andhra, Rajni Kothari (ed.),  Caste in Indian Politics, New Delhi: Orient Long man, 1970.

(AW Phani)