Caste census will shake TDP, YCP : BSP AP Coordinator Purnachandra Rao

Dr. Jujjavarapu Purnachandra Rao, the State Coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and retired DGP, opined that the YSRCP had rejected the caste census report out of fear that it would expose the injustices faced by BCs (Backward Classes).

He also criticized the TDP for betraying the public and staying silent on the census. Speaking during the two-day state-level workshop and training session organized by the AP BC Coordination Committee in Vijayawada on Thursday, he stated that the caste census report, conducted by YSRCP, had hidden fiery truths that would have revealed the exploitation of BCs historically.

YSRCP feared that exposing this report would pos threat to their ‘Reddy’ government, and therefore they suppressed the report. "Now, TDP is behaving as if they are completely indifferent. In Telangana, caste census has been duly conducted, the report has been made public, and in fact voices are being raised about the errors and falsehoods in it. But in Andhra Pradesh, nothing concrete or positive is happening.

That is why, inspired by the spirit of Telangana, we are strategizing to intensify the movement for caste census. These awareness and training sessions are being conducted to prepare for future struggles," Dr. Rao said. During the event, Dr. Rao also strongly criticized the Modi government for its stance on caste census.

He emphasized that political power and representation for BCs have been trampled under the rule of two castes, and this cast a disastrous impact on the welfare and survival of BCs in the state. He further highlighted the necessity of comprehensive caste census for the good of BCs.

He pointed out that in the 16 elections held in the state after independence, 1207 Reddy and Kamma members were elected to the assembly, while the communities had less than 10% of the population. Meanwhile, communities like the Yadavs and Gouds, who have a population equal to those of these groups, had only 114 MLAs.

The remaining BC MLAs numbered just 498. These discrepancies will be revealed through caste enumeration, which is causing anxiety in both parties, he said. Dr. Rao raised questions about why the BC Protection Act, reservations for BCs in institutions, and comprehensive caste enumeration are not being implemented when they did not cost government a single pie.

"They don’t intend to share the power, nor do they work for the good of BCs. That's why every BC must assert identity, set aside regional differences, and get ready for the struggle," he added. On the occasion, , the president of the BC Coordination Committee, Angadala Purnachandra Rao, and the convenor, BC Ramana, stated that the battle for caste census would continue irrespective of political party affiliations. The fight will question the historic injustices faced by BCs while uniting all communities in the process. BSP State President Bakka Paramjyothy also participated in the event.