The Andhra Pradesh Government’s decision to include Kalinga Vysyas in the backward classes’ category caused an uproar among other backward classes in Srikakaulam district. Representatives of Velama, Kapu and Yadava communities decided to hold a meeting on Sunday in NGOs home to chalk out the action plan to step up pressure on the government to revoke its proposal.
Around 4 lakh Kalinga Vyasysa have been demanding the government to include their caste in BC-D category since 90 percent of the people of the community were economically backward. They argued that the youngsters of the community were not able to get employment and educational opportunities with lack of reservation facility.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu assured to include Kalinga Vysyas into BC category during the election campaign. With this assurance, TDP could win majority seats in Srikakulam district with majority of Kalinga Vysyas favoured Chandrababu’s party. As promised in the election tour, the TDP government took steps for the inclusion of the caste in BC category and issued an order recently.
Though it cheered up Kalinga Vysya community, other castes are up in arms against the government fearing that it would lead change political equations also in Srikakulam district where castes are playing key role in selection of candidates in elections.
Kalinga Vysyas can tilt balances in Srikakulam, Narasannapeta and Tekkali. BC-D Castes Parirakshana Samiti leaders Kinjarapu Ammannaidu, Surangi Mohanarao, Narthu Narendra Yadav, Ratnala Narasimha Murthy and others submitted memorandums to Labour minister K.Atchannaidu and Srikakulam MLA Gunda Lakshmidevi urging them not to do ‘injustice’ to other backward classes by including Kalinga Vysyas in the BCs list.
They felt that BC-D candidates were already struggling with less job opportunities and opportunities in higher education with stiff competition. Meanwhile, Kalinga Vysya community leaders decided not to react over the developments hoping that the government would not go back over its poll promise.