Telugu Desam Party which came to power in 2014 with the support of various caste groups is likely to face a tough time in 2019 with one group after the other coming out in the open against the party for ignoring their interests.
While a large section of Kapus have already raised a banner of revolt against TDP president and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for dodging on the issue of Kapu reservations, the recent controversy over unceremonious removal of Tirumala temple head priest Ramana Deekshitulu and irregularities in Brahmin Corporation isolated the Brahmin community from the TDP.
The latest news is that the powerful Raju community in East and West Godavari districts is also up in arms against the TDP.
In the 2014 elections, Rajus have largely supported the TDP and even funded large number of the TDP candidates in both the districts. Obviously, they expected that they would get big benefits during the TDP regime.
However, after coming to power, Naidu has ignored their interests completely.
According to highly placed sources, a large number of Rajus, cutting across party lines, had a meeting recently and discussed the injustice meted out to them in the TDP regime.
While the Rajus belonging to the TDP were forced to go on the defensive, the other leaders went hammer and tongs at the Naidu government.
“Not a single Raju was inducted into the Naidu cabinet. No nominated posts were given to our community. On the other hand, our community leaders are being harassed in the name of preventing cock fights and curbing aqua culture,” they alleged.
Majority of them reportedly felt that the Raju community would not support the TDP in the next elections.
