Right from the inception of the Telugu Desam Party, backward
classes have always been its backbone. Especially under N T Rama Rao
regime, the BCs have extensively supported the yellow party, because NTR
had actually provided 33 per cent reservations to BCs in all the local
bodies.
This happened for the first time ever
in the country. But now, the BCs will be soon moving away from the TDP,
mainly due to the pro-upper caste policies which are now being adopted
by the current party chief N Chandrababu Naidu. This looks like a wrong
move from TDP.
According to reports, Naidu’s
own community is openly calling the shots in the party, as they have
been garnering all the key positions, and this is again happening at the
cost of the BCs. Not providing them with a fair chance is definitely a
costly gamble being taken.
The recent selection
involving two candidates for Rajya Sabha seats like Sujana Chowdary
and T G Venkatesh who are representing upper castes, has been creating a
lot of unrest in the BCs. It is about time Naidu steps in and strikes a
balance before things go out of hand.