Parties Own Ranga To Woo Kapu Votes

Political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the Kapus who constitute more than 15 pc of the voters in Andhra Pradesh. 

The YCP, TDP and Jana Sena are trying to picturise the parties as pro-Kapu and own Kapu leader Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga, who was murdered brutally in broad daylight. To the unknown, Ranga not only limited to particular caste, his fight for poor and needy makes him mass leader in Vijayawada. The present day politics projected him as a Caste Leader.

Ranga & Kapus

On the occasion of Ranga’s 34rd death anniversary today, YCP leader and former minister Kodali Nani reminded that it was the murder was a conspiracy of the TDP government which was in power in 1988. He took the names of several prominent TDP leaders and former ministers and charged them with being directly involved in the murder. Nani even said that the murder was planned at the behest of TDP president and former CM N. Chandrababu Naidu. 

Nani claimed that Ranga’s supporters do not fail to call him for unveiling the statues of their late leader at any place in and around Gudivada constituency. They know that I respect Ranga and his principles. The former minister elevated the character of Ranga and said that Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga was a system unto himself who could not be attacked by individuals. 

Meanwhile, the TDP and Jana Sena leaders also tried to own up Ranga by queueing up and garlanding his statues on the occasion of his death anniversary.

The TDP leaders also tried to smear the YCP with anti-Kapu stand saying that it had not given enough space and a satisfactory position to Ranga-s son Vangaveeti Radha due to which he shifted loyalties to the TDP. If the TDP is behind the murder of his father Ranga, why would Radha come back into the TDP fold, the TDP leaders asked. 

The Jana Sena and BJP are also trying to woo the Kapu community by having leaders from the same caste at the superior positions in the parties. 

There is buzz that the BJP is bearing with Somu Veerraju as the party’s state president even when he lacks the political acumen only because he hails from the Kapu community. 

Jana Sena leader and film actor Pawan Kalyan also speaks in favour of the Kapus in his public meetings and roadshows. 

Kapu Quota

The Kapu community was accorded 5 per cent quota in education and jobs after being listed among OBCs in the TDP rule. However, the YCP rescinded the same saying it was not legally tenable. 

Kapus have been seeking positions in the power corridor stating that they are no less to the Kammas or the Reddys.

It has to be seen which party would be able to woo the Kapu voters successfully ss they hold the key to victory in the coastal districts.