Vijayawada: The AP government had agreed in-principle to provide reservations in education and employment for the Kapu community.
At a recent meeting with ministers belonging to the backward classes and TD-affiliated BC associations, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu started initiating the process of persuading them not to oppose the inclusion of the Kapu community into the BC category.
The CM has also enlisted the help of the BC welfare minister K. Atchennaidu to convince the BC community.
Pro-TD organisations and associations of Kapu community have been directed to gather in Vijayawada for a meeting that will be addressed by the Chief Minister.
The move to provide reservations for the Kapu community is seen to benefit the ruling party in the August 23 Nandyal byelection.
According to party sources, Mr Naidu vowed not to touch the political reservations except for employment and education reservations for the Kapu community.
Both Mr Naidu and Mr Atchennaidu are trying to convince the BC community that the inclusion of the Kapus would not adversely impact them. Mr Atchennaidu had organised a meeting with both BC and Kapu community TD leaders who are holding nominated posts.
Kapu movement leader Mudragada Padmanabham and other community leaders are keenly observing the happenings.
Kapu Corporation chairman Chalamalasetty Ramanujeya said, “On Monday, Kapu community associations and organisations are going to request the Chief Minister for reservations. The government is also positive towards this and I am sure, they will start procedures at the earliest to provide reservations.”
A Kapu JAC leader said, “We are observing this keenly. Once we get the employment and education reservation we will then fight for the political reservations. In this context there is a meeting going to be held on Monday between pro-TD Kapu associations and the Chief Minister.”
The Kapu community had not emphasised on political reservations earlier. Even for employment and education reservations, they had to ask for presidential approval. For this the Assembly will have to first send the resolution to the Centre.
