CM dreams behind Botsas two-state cry - Plays Caste Card To Get Gaddi

Hyderabad: For those wondering why Botsa Satyanarayana dropped a bombshell demanding division of Andhra Pradesh,the reason has much to do with caste politics and his ambition to be CM.In this instance its the Kapu card. As an aspirant community, its power plans came to a naught in last polls as Chiranj-eevi flopped. Though the actors Prajarajyam got 17 per cent votes, it did not translate into seats. As politicians see it,politics in state continues to be in the hands of Reddys and Kammas.And Botsa seems to be making a pitch to break this grip.It is deliberate.He has chosen a time when the T-agitation is waning after the setting up of the Srikrishna committee, said a political analyst who has observed Botsa for long. But Botsa has dished out a simplistic explanation to veil his real intentions: Two states would pave the road for allround development of Telugus;two CMs would bring more funds and aspirations of people of both regions would be fulfilled. But this argument is seen as blasphemous by leaders from Rayalaseema-Circar areas.Students from Andhra University in Vizag immediately cried foul and leaders from Srikakulam to Kadapa,irrespective of their party affiliations,have questioned his continuance in the cabinet.Some sections have even mooted social boycott of Botsa,who is the panchayati raj minister.

Analysts close to Botsa,however,argue that the strong reactions are due to his social background.The Samaikyandhra movement is led by leaders from the upper castes who are well entrenched in politics and business.While the movement in Rayalaseema is led by Reddys,the visible leaders in Coastal Andhra are Kammas. But Botsa, a product of post-liberalization politics, is not willing to allow his caste status of Turpu Kapu to come in the way of his ambitions. His strength can be gauged from his indispensability to the late YSR. In terms of political influence, there is no comparable backward caste leader in the state, asserted a political analyst,pointing to his grip on his native Vizianagaram.He forced the party high command to give the Congress LS ticket to his wife Botsa Jhansi.He forced YSR to give an assembly ticket to his brother as well.And the zilla parishad chairman is also from his family, he said.So strong is his influence that YSR did not remove him from the cabinet after the Volkswagen controversy when Botsa was the industry minister.After YSRs death,Botsa openly expressed his ambition to become CM. Chiranjeevis failure has rekindled Botsas ambition to become the CM as representative of Kapus.Chiranjeevi has asserted that he stands for an integrated AP but his feeble voice has not been audible in the united movement led by Congress and TDP.

If Andhra state is formed,Kapus would become the single largest community with Balijas of Rayalaseema.This would add to Botsas chances as CM.Kapus need a strong leader at this juncture when AP is at a crossroad, said a Congress leader.Given the influence of Kammas and Reddys,he cannot expect to be AP CM.So he is betting for a separate Andhra state, the leader said.If the communitys voice is not raised now,they can never claim the CM post if the state divided.So Botsa has become active, the Congress leader pointed out.
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PLANS AGITATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN T - JAC to launch 10-day T bus yatra from Mar 9

Hyderabad: The Telangana JAC proposes to launch a 10-day bus yatra from March 9 which would serve twin purpose,one to campaign for the TRS MLAs who had resigned from the assembly protesting against delay in bifurcation of the state and to educate the people of Telangana about the need for bifurcation. JAC convener M Kodandaram told newsmen on Sunday that the 10-day bus yatra will kickstart from Vikarabad in Ranga Reddy district.All JAC members from Telangana organisations and MLAs including TRS leaders,who resigned from assembly will take part in the yatra. During the bus yatra,the JAC leaders will target the Congress party leaders from the region who they claim had cheated the people by backtracking on resignations.They will also explain why the JAC was opposed to the Srikrishna committee.The JAC feels that the committee constituted by Centre cannot solve the contentious Telangana issue,he said. Stating that the yatra will cover 10 Telangana districts,Kodandaram said the yatra is being organised as part of intensifying agitation against MLAs who did not resign from the assembly.The JAC had already given a call to the people to boycott MLAs and not to allow them to enter their constituencies.He said the ministers and MLAs have already stopped moving in their constituencies fearing backlash from people.The JAC leader said the dharnas organised by district JAC leaders will be intensified from Monday onwards and protracted agitational programmes will be organised in all Telangana villages from next week.
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(SOURCE-TOI)