Kammas’ Exit Helps TDP?

Arguably, TDP is dominated by Kamma community. TDP leaders many deny but the majority of public perception is that this particular community commands the party. However, post debacle of the party in 2019, most of its prominent leaders are leaving TDP pushing it into dark.

The likes of Sujana Chowdary, Rayapati Sambasiva Rao have quit the party and the latest to join the Kamma bandwagon leaving TDP is Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan from Gannavaram. Also, the likes of Kesineni Nani are upset with Naidu and openly expressing their dissent on time to time basis. This is sending an indication that Kamma community is slowly distancing from TDP.

Though the community’s population is in limited number, the influence of the community is large. Their dominance on businesses is huge and naturally, they hold the majority of wealth. All these have a lot of direct impact on politics. The funds to TDP is sourced from this particular community’s business honchos and hence the party is known as Kamma Party. But with the leaving of Kamma leaders, the moot question is whether the image of Kamma Party would vanish and thus make TDP a party of all?

Even when NTR had founded the party and he was at the helm of the party affairs, BC community has strongly stood behind TDP which made it a huge political force. But slowly BCs have distance for one reason or the other and TDP has been painted as Kamma Party. Now, the challenge for Chandrababu is to make clear indication that TDP is for all communities.

On the other hand, YS Jagan has smartly adopted Mayawati-type political approach in AP by giving representation to all communities. Even in his cabinet, YS Jagan made sure there is a representation of all communities. This is a smart approach. Jagan has also reached out to Brahmin community by making Kona Ragupati as the Deputy Speaker. This political calculation seems to have worked for Jagan. TDP is now in dire need of similar strategy.

It is high time, TDP should make a strong comeback. So far, Naidu has been banking on anti-Jagan wave and leveling corruption allegations on Jagan. But it is proved that Naidu can’t bank on it for long time. 2019 has proved that hatred campaign on Jagan is politically irrelevant. The Kamma leaders leaving TDP is a good development for TDP in one way or other. Naidu needs to convert this into advantage. He has to opt for caste-based equations by giving equal importance to all castes. This would help TDP in long run. Let’s wait and see what is in store for Naidu and TDP.