Perhaps for the first time, YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has invoked the “Kamma” card in an attempt to turn the tables on Telugu Desam Party president and current Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
During his visit to Rentapalla village in Sattenapalli mandal of Palnadu district — where he met the family of YSRCP upa-sarpanch Korlakunta Nagamalleshwara Rao, who allegedly died by suicide due to harassment by TDP leaders — Jagan raised the issue of Kamma community members being targeted for not aligning with the TDP.
“Do you think Kammas should always be subservient to you and work only for the TDP? Do you consider them your slaves?” Jagan asked, addressing the media after meeting the bereaved family.
He pointed out that Nagamalleshwara Rao, a member of the Kamma community, was actively involved with the YSRCP.
He cited a similar case involving Lakshminarayana, another Kamma YSRCP supporter, who was allegedly subjected to caste-based harassment by the police.
“Unable to bear the humiliation, he consumed pesticide and is currently fighting for his life in the hospital,” Jagan said.
He accused the TDP of acting vindictively toward Kamma leaders within the YSRCP.
“If any Kamma leader dares to oppose Chandrababu Naidu, TDP leaders treat them worse than demons. Why this hatred? Shouldn't Kamma leaders in YSRCP have the right to question your misrule? Those who question Naidu are being harassed and thrown in jail,” he alleged.
Jagan listed several YSRCP leaders from the Kamma community who he claimed are being targeted: Vallabhaneni Vamsi, Kodali Nani, Devineni Avinash, Talasila Raghuram, MVV Satyanarayana, Abbayya Chowdary, Brahma Naidu, Posani Krishna Murali, and several social media activists.
“What crime has Vallabhaneni Vamsi committed to deserve being jailed for so many days? Each time he gets bail in one case, he’s sent back to jail in another. For the last two months, Vamsi has languished in jail due to Naidu’s vindictive politics,” he said.
Jagan also claimed that YSRCP leader Kodali Nani is facing false cases foisted by the police, and that former MLA Abbayya Chowdary has been booked in as many as nine cases.
“All days are not the same — times will change. Justice will prevail, and those responsible will be held accountable,” Jagan concluded.
