Vijayawada: The State Cabinet on Monday discussed the 10 per cent quota given by the Centre, for the EBCs in the open category, and has decided to give 5 per cent of it to the Kapus. While it is not yet clear if the State Government’s decision will stand legal scrutiny, the move is being seen as TD supremo Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu’s strategy to woo the Kapus who are disgruntled with the present dispensation. However, not all open category groups are happy with the State Government’s decision.
The Kapu community which is the second largest after the Backward Classes, is an important vote bank for any political party preparing to form the government. In the last polls, with the persuasion of film actor and Jana Sena chief Mr Pawan Kalyan coupled with Mr Naidu’s promise of giving a substantial quota to them, the Kapus had aligned with TD which helped the party form the government in the State. But after the government was formed, Mr. Naidu remained silent for over three years and only when the Kapus started protesting, he began placating them. Now, Mr Naidu has found an opportunity in the Centre’s decision to give away quota to the castes in the open category.
Though the State Government had sent the Kapu quota bill adopted by the State Assembly in the past to the Centre, there was no action until now. But in a surprise move, Mr Narendra Modi’s government has announced 10 per cent quota to EBC in open category and Kapus in AP also come under the category.
“Though it’s a political move, it’s a unilateral decision taken by the State Government. With this decision to give 5 per cent quota exclusively to Kapus, the happiness of other castes in the open category has been short-lived. The State Government should implement the Centre’s decision on 10 per cent quota to EBCs in all open category castes equally,” said a representative of the Kamma community.
AP BJP chief, Mr Kanna Lakshminarayana said, “Earlier Naidu had created a rift between Malas and Madigas in the name of reservations and now he is trying to create a rift among open category caste groups. If he is so committed to the cause of Kapu quota he should have done something immediately after he came to power in 2014. Why wait till the announcement of Mr Modi and do it now.”
