Traditionally, Brahmins and Vaishyas have always been supporters of the Congress Party since the days of the freedom movement.
In Andhra Pradesh, the only industry where Brahmins get along well with the Kammas is the film industry where they work together.
But socially, there has always been a hostile undercurrent between these three communities with the Brahmins and Vaishyas on one side and the Kammas on the other side.
That perhaps explains why the TDP does not have a single Brahmin MLA or MP whereas the Congress had the likes of Malladi Vishnu, Dronamraju Srinivas and Kona Raghupathi.
However, bifurcation changed the equation and the entire Andhra was furious with the Congress party.
At the same time, Modi who had carved a good name for himself as Gujarat CM was now the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate who promised special status to Andhra.
Breaking with tradition, the Brahmins and Vaishyas voted for the TDP-BJP combine which turned out to be significant in the final analysis along with the Kapu community votes.
After coming to power, Chandrababu did undertake a populist measure like setting up a Brahmin Corporation with IYR Krishna Rao as its head. But Krishna Rao had a fall out with Chandrababu and is now one of his most vocal critics.
Similarly, the Ramana Deekshitulu issue and Mahaa News promoting derogatory comments made on Brahmins by a Kamma person has further soured the relations between the two communities.
Similarly, the Vaishyas are thoroughly disgruntled with both the TDP and BJP. It is unlikely that these two communities will vote for either of those parties again in Andhra Pradesh in 2019.
With just a year to go for the elections, the TDP has a tough task in trying to retain this vote base. Will it be able to?
