Rajahmundry: The BJP, an ally of the TD government in AP, has accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of mishandling the Kapu reservation movement and said this was leading to unrest at several parts in the state.
BJP leaders say that when the state is already facing a series of problems, including stiff resistance from a section of employees over shifting from Hyderabad to the state capital region, “mishandling” of the ongoing agitation by Kapunadu leader Mudragada Padmanabham in Rajahmundry has further aggravated the problem.
The leaders are wondering as to why Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has given the nod for the arrest of the accused involved in the burning of Ratnachal Express and torching of the Tuni Rural police station and police vehicles at this time, when the mishap took place on January 31.
They are asking as to why the state government, based on preliminary inquiry, failed to issue orders to arrest Mudragada Padmanabham as he was the one who called upon those who attended ‘Kapu Garjajana’ to stage rasta roko, rail roko and demonstrations to exert pressure upon the state government to fulfil its poll promise to include Kapus in BC list.
They say it is very clear that in response to the call given by Mr Padmanabham, the people responded and resorted to violence. They allege that Mr Naidu remained silent for several months to mobilise support to his government from a section of Kapu leaders and after feeling confident that he has adequate support from the community, started to act, resulting in the CID arresting the accused. This is being resisted by Mr Padmanabham.
BJP senior leader P. Satyanarayana said, “There is no rule of law. When Mudragada Padmanabham is the prime accused in Tuni violence case, the state government failed to act promptly to act against the accused. The Chief Minister is acting now by arresting the accused. Crime is a crime and the law should be applicable to all equally irrespective of their political stature and support from the community.”
BJP leaders say that the party’s national leadership was briefed about the ongoing stir by the Kapunadu leader in AP and it turned cynical on the way how it is being handled by TD government. The national leadership felt the need to handle the Kapu stir carefully.
BJP state coordinator P. Raghu Ram said, “The national leadership is of the opinion that Mr Naidu is more on talks but short on action on several issues.”
BJP Rajahmundry Urban MLA Akula Satyanarayana said, “There is a long way to go to include Kapus in the BC list as a survey has to be done to find out the population of Kapu community living in the state. The state government should have explained about the elaborate procedure involved in fulfilling its promise so that the Kapu community should have maintained restraint and peace.”
