Are Kapus Walking With the Alliance?

If we look at the caste aspect in Andhra Pradesh politics, the Reddy community is with the YCP, while the Kamma community supports TDP. Everyone knows this. However, there is no clarity about the Kapu community which has a larger population. As per the data, the total population of Kapu-Balija(Rayalaseema) is 52.70 lakh. Their vote bank is over 42 lakhs. With this, they have been crucial in elections every time.

If we look at the two previous elections, they voted for the TDP in 2014 as Pawan Kalyan supported the TDP-BJP alliance. Though Janasena was also part of the alliance the party did not contest elections. With this, Kapus supported the alliance. TDP had an easy win in East and West Godavari districts where Kapus are in big numbers. The party came to power.

Coming to the 2019 elections, the scene was different. Due to the Kapu movement between 2014-19 and the lack of promises from the government, Kapus supported the YCP. YCP won majority seats in the Godavari districts. It became interesting to see what would happen in the upcoming elections. Kapus who were neutral earlier are said to be supporting the Janasena party.

It is said that the Kapus are supporting the alliance. Pawan Kalyan is looking strong and targeting the YCP. Mega Family came into the picture and is campaigning. These factors are said to have given hope to Kapus. Both TDP and Pawan Kalyan have been saying that it was him who played a key role in setting up the alliance. Though the party was given fewer seats, the explanation for the same is impressive. Pawan Kalyan asking for a chance became a sentiment factor for Kapus.

On the other hand, Pawan Kalyan is getting prominence in just just in alliance but in TDP as well. Earlier we used to get Nara Lokesh as the answer to the question of who after Chandrababu. Nara Lokesh was not present when the Manifesto was released, a joint meeting in TadepalliGudem, Chilakaluripet meeting which Modi attended. But Pawan Kalyan was present.

Kapus are said to be satisfied with this. They feel that Pawan might be crucial in the government which would be formed. Janasena and TDP are behaving as per the change in situation. Pawan saying he has close ties with the bigwigs in the Centre is making Kapus support the TDP and alliance is what the observers say.