With the Kapus turning to be politically sensitive in Andhra Pradesh, opposition leader YS Jaganmohan Reddy seems to be making strategic moves to divide Kapu votes so that to get political advantage in 2019 polls. The recent meeting of former Rajya Sabha member and film actor Dr M Mohan Babu with Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham at later’s house gaining significance in this regard.
Since more than a decade, Mohan Babu keeping away from politics and he resisted moves to join TDP during last elections. Moreover he is having close family relations with Jaganmohan Reddy. Admits speculations that he would campaign for Reddy’s YSR Congress Party in the coming polls, many are suspecting that he met Padmanabham as an `ambassador’ of the opposition leader.
Popular film director Dasari Narayana Rao also maintain close rapport with Padmanabham, by extending support to his agitation and also meeting him frequently. It may be recalled that few months ago Jaganmohan Reddy personally went to Dasari’s house seeking his support. It is believed that Reddy invited him to join his party with a promise to offer Rajya Sabha seat at a later stage. Though Dasari was non-committal, it is evident he is keeping away from Congress.
In this regard, former Tamil Nadu governor K Rosaiah’s meeting with Padmanabham, at later’s house also gaining prominence. Though, Rosaiah said it was a courtesy call to meet an `old friend’, almost simultaneously meeting Jaganmohan Reddy, `son of an old friend’ getting significance.
Though these meetings are looks like sporadic incidents, TDP circles are worrying some `behind the screen’ political manipulations to divide Kapus, who helped Chadrababu Naidu to swept two Godavari districts, besides registering substantial gains in districts like Guntur in 2014 polls.
TDP from the beginning alleging that it was Jaganmohan Reddy prompting Mudragada Padmabham to rebel against state government on the issue of Kapu reservation. Though TDP has been making hectic efforts to protect its hold among Kapus, these developments are cautioning them that Jagan’s strategic moves may hamper its vote block.
