Chandrababu Fast Slipping Down The Slope Of Deception

Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has made several promises to diverse castes knowing fully well that many of these assurances lie within the jurisdiction of the Centre. In the case of some, the Parliament's approval is mandatory. Chandrababu Naidu is a past master at caste politics. Back in 1995 to 2004, when he was the chief minister he had proposed the categorisation of the SC communities. Back then in Andhra Pradesh, he has lent his support to the demand for categorisation of the Mala and Madiga communities among SCs for the purpose of reservation. He did so with the express purpose of tring to woo the larger segment among the two.

The Centre had constituted a commission to study the matter and submit a report, but the categorisation did not come through.

Post bifurcation, Chandrababu Naidu's attitude took a 360-degree turn. Earlier, he used to claim that he would become a pedha Madiga. Today, leaders of the community say that he is according more importance to the Mala group by giving them key positions.

Political compulsions determine nominations and appointments, but this is an instance of how political ends serve to drive a wedge between different caste groups. Chandrababu Naidu has stopped paying heed to the demand for categorisation of the Madiga community. He keeps harping on how BC communities form the backbone of the TDP and to quote them, he has announced a slew of assurances.

Also Read: Chandrababu Naidu Failed To Keep His Election Promises: YS Jagan

BC communities backed him, believing the promises he had made in the election manifesto. They now feel frustrated and angry at being neglected and at the promises remaining unfulfilled. On top of everything else, Chandrababu had alienated the BC communities by insulting several backward sections. For instance, he threatened to 'clip the tail' to translate Telugu expression, of the Nayee Brahmin community. He warned the fishermen community that he would skin them. His statement wondering whether anybody would like to be born as a Dalit caused widespread consternation. Moreover, his letter to the Centre on the issue of elevation of some BC lawyers as judges, terming them as incompetent and ineligible triggered shock and anger across all groups. To make matters worse for him, Intelligence Agencies exposed the falsehood which masked the truth in this case. In the backdrop of such incidents, Chandrababu Naidu has now announced the setting up of a commission for the inclusion of fishermen and Vaddera communities into STs and Rajaka and Nayee Brahmin communities into SCs.

Incidentally, this announcement came a day after he insulted representatives of the Nayee Brahmin community. Again, this proposal is beyond the purview of the state government. But Chandrababu Naidu has his eye on the elections for now. In other words, Chandrababu Naidu is once again trying to deceive these communities with the promise of a commission of this nature.

Also Read: What is Chandrababu Naidu Afraid Of?

In the past, he had created a rift between the Kapu and BC communities. Later, we saw the farce which was known as the Manjunath Commission and Chandrababu's humiliation of leaders of the Kapu community.

One must say that Chandrababu Naidu is moving apace on the path of deception and betrayal and for a leader who claims 40 years of political experience, it does not behove him.