BRS Going All Out to Woo Caste Leaders and Organisations; Opposition Catching Up

HYDERABAD: The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is leaving no stone unturned in reaching out to elders and leaders of various castes to canvass votes from their communities, by promising to build them dedicated community halls and bring in targeted government schemes.

They are also seeking the feedback of caste leaders on the performance of the state government and their respective MLAs.

Sources said that BRS MLAs have so far reached out to leaders of Munnurkapu, Goud, Padmashali, Mudiraj, Gangaputra and Nayee Brahmin, among others. In meetings, they explained the developmental works and welfare schemes brought in over the past nine years.

In the meetings, BRS MLA candidates also assured caste leaders of further assistance, saying that the government was committed to their welfare.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader from the Munnurukapu community said that Nizamabad urban MLA Bigala Ganesh Gupta conducted a meeting with the president and secretaries of each ‘Tarpa (ward)’ of Munnurkapu sanghams in the town.

“We are not in a position to talk factual issues with the ruling party leaders. We listen to what the MLA says and will decide who to support in coming Assembly elections. It is a known fact that elected representatives ignored the communities, but at the time of elections, approach for support. BRS leaders are unable to digest the reality; how can we express our views at this point of time?” the leader said.

Meanwhile, the BRS has already sanctioned Rs 5 - Rs 50 lakh per community, based on their population, and handed over the letters to community elders. Some communities also saw MLAs fund the construction of community halls.

Opposition parties are also taking a similar approach, with an ‘Athmeeya Sammelanam’ of Vysyas by BJP state executive committee member Dhanpal Suryanarayana in Nizamabad on Tuesday one such instance.

Given the Assembly elections, a few caste organisations are also getting additional benefits, of Rs 1- Rs 3 lakh for purchasing cooking vessels, tent house material and chairs. Assessing the number of votes, at least more than 100 votes at one place or organisation, the contestants are showing an interest in giving various sops.

It was noted that BRS leaders in Machareddy mandal offered DJ kits to the youths of tribal thandas seeking their support. Inviting the youths to the programme, they also admitted them into the party fold.

A senior political leader, on the condition of anonymity, said they will encourage only caste groups to discuss developmental works. “It is easy to garner the support of voters either from caste organisation or from residential associations of apartments,” the leader said.

Usually, major communities regularly conduct their caste organisation meetings and develop assets like marriage halls, community halls and shopping complexes. Low-population communities have shown interest in uniting during general elections for benefits from leaders. They are printing letterheads, getting visiting cards prepared and setting up temporary offices to attract political leaders.