The Kapu community in Andhra Pradesh is a strong social group with a significant population and long-standing aspirations to have a meaningful share in power.
Many of them believed that Pawan Kalyan’s entry into politics with the Jana Sena Party would bring influential positions and political empowerment to the community. However, of late, there is a growing feeling that this expectation is not being fulfilled.
In the present alliance government, Pawan Kalyan himself appears to be playing a secondary role. Though he was accommodated with the Deputy Chief Minister position, many Kapus feel that the larger community within the party has not benefited proportionately.
Even Konidela Nagababu, despite his stature as Pawan Kalyan's brother, had to struggle for a long time to secure a simple MLC post and was not given a cabinet berth or even a nominated position with cabinet rank.
If this is the situation for Pawan Kalyan’s own brother, many wonder about the condition of other Jana Sena leaders and cadre from the community.
Many also point out that Chandrababu Naidu nominated his son Lokesh to the Legislative Council and made him a minister as early as 2014, whereas even an MLC post for Nagababu was delayed and a cabinet berth was denied.
On the other hand, Kapu leaders in the YSRCP such as Ambati Rambabu, Perni Nani, Jakkampudi, Dadisetti and several others are seen as politically active and influential, with opportunities to obtain cabinet positions or MLC posts based on their performance.
This contrast is making a section of Kapus feel that their political future may be more secure in YSRCP than in the alliance through Jana Sena.
Pawan Kalyan, who was once viewed as a powerful icon for the Kapu community, is now being perceived by some as being aligned more with the TDP’s priorities than with the long-term growth of Jana Sena leaders from his own social group.
His silence on certain incidents, particularly the attack on Ambati Rambabu’s house, has further widened the distance between him and sections of the Kapu community.
It is notable that many Kapu leaders, including some from Jana Sena, condemned the attack, while Pawan did not respond, at least for name sake, in the way they expected.
As a result, there is a growing internal discussion among Kapus about their political direction and representation.
