Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is leveraging the BC community to weaken the TDP.
BCs have historically supported the TDP, especially during NTR's tenure when they were given significant representation in power.
However, after NTR, Chandrababu's priorities shifted, and he predominantly favored industrialists for MP and MLA positions.
While the TDP felt confident as long as the Congress remained their primary opponent in Andhra Pradesh, the dynamics changed rapidly after the state's bifurcation.
YS Jagan's YCP emerged as the main challenger to the TDP. Jagan strategically focused on social integration, particularly by winning the support of BCs, who traditionally formed the backbone of the TDP.
In addition to BCs, Jagan also prioritized the empowerment of marginalized castes, giving priority for their positions in cabinet. This strategy continues in the current election cycle.
His preference for the Yadav community has particularly unsettled the TDP, leading to a tough competition between the Kammas and Yadavs.
For instance, the Narasaraopet MP seat will see a contest between Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu (Kamma) from the TDP and Anil Kumar (Yadav) from the YCP.
Maganti Babu (Kamma) from the Eluru Lok Sabha, with Karumuri Sunil Kumar (Yadav) from the YCP. Though the TDP's candidate for Eluru is yet to be finalized officially, there's a perception that it's the domain of Kamma dominance in power due to historical patterns of candidates from that social class being elected regardless of party affiliation. Jagan aims to challenge this perception by fielding a BC candidate there.
In the assembly constituencies, candidates such as Vasantha Krishnaprasad (Kamma) for Mylavaram from the TDP and Tirumala Rao (Yadav) from the YCP, among others, will contest.
Nageswara Rao (TDP, Kamma), Aravinda Yadav (YCP, Yadav) in Kandukuru;
Ugra Narasimha Reddy (TDP, Reddy), Narayana (YCP, Yadav) in Kanigiri;
Arimilli Radhakrishna (TDP, Kamma), Karumuri Nageswara Rao (YCP, Yadav) in Tanuku will be vying. Also, it is impossible to predict how many more Yadavs or BCs will be given seats by Jagan when the announcement of candidates is completed.
Jagan's strategy of prioritizing BCs keeping his own community candidates at bay in some places in rising eyebrows.
His decision to prioritize representation for marginalized communities has endeared him to BCs, SCs, STs, and minorities, who view the YCP as their party.
Jagan's focus on empowering marginalized communities has caused concern for the TDP, as they fear losing their traditional vote bank.
Jagan's ability to identify and capitalize on the TDP's vulnerabilities has strengthened his leadership while weakening Chandrababu's position.
