Finally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has bowed to the Kapu community’s quota/reservation demand. On Friday, the TDP government gave its nod to 5 per cent reservation to Kapus in government jobs and educational institutions in the state under Backward Classes category.
The move, though somewhat unexpected, comes at a time when Telugu Desam is trying to consolidate its vote banks for the 2019 Assembly polls. It is also seen as an attempt to checkmate YSR Congress attempts to woo Kapus during party chief Jaganmohan Reddy’s ongoing walkathon (padayatra).
In fact, Chandrababu had not yielded to demands of Kapus even during the height of their agitation in Godavari districts. Led by firebrand Mudragada Padmanabham under the banner of Kapu Reservation Porata Samithi, the community’s leaders had given sleepless nights to the AP Chief Minister.
With Mudragada demanding Chandrababu to honour TDP’s promise of reservations for Kapus made during 2014 poll campaign, the latter became a prisoner of his own pledge.
For more than two years, Chandrababu has dodged the issue but tried to pacify the community leaders by offering positions of power. For example, he appointed a Kapu as his deputy and another as Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly. Even the powerful Director General of Police post has been given to a Kapu community officer. Above all, Chandrababu set up a Kapu Corporation to improve the socio-economic conditions of Kapus in AP. Still, he could not satisfy them and Mudragada is firm in his demand.
Caught in Catch-22 situation, Chandrababu appointed a committee headed by Manjunatha to examine the Kapu quota issue. Now, its recommendation –5 per cent reservations for Kapus – has come handy for the CM to wriggle out of the sticky situation. Clearly, he is in an advantageous position. None can blame him for granting reservations to Kapus, including sub-castes like Telaga, Balija and Ontari, as he is just going by the committee’s recommendation. Secondly, he can expect solid support in 2019 from that community which is 20 per cent of AP’s population.
However, Chandrababu has some challenges to face. As the total percentage of reservations exceed the constitutional limit of 50%, the move can legally be questioned and the infamous train burning issue may be raked up.
On January 31, 2016, Ratnachal Express was set afire at Tuni in East Godavari district. by mobs who were attending a Kapu meet. The Kapu quota agitators also burnt two police stations and police vehicles. Though there were no casualties, seven rail compartments had reduced to ashes, traumatizing hundreds of passengers. Although police have registered a number of cases and the CID has taken up the case, nothing has happened.
