The decision taken by YSR Congress party government headed by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to provide 50 per cent reservations to Backward Classes, SCs and STs in nominated posts and state corporations, boards, societies, trusts and agricultural market yards has created ripples within the ruling party.
Especially, the Reddy community which stood solidly behind Jagan during the assembly elections is said to be terribly upset with the chief minister’s decision. They are all the more anguished as the state assembly has already passed a bill to this effect.
Out of 175 assembly seat, Jagan had given the party tickets to as many as 52 Reddy candidates in the assembly elections.
Of them, as many as 51 Reddy candidates have won as MLAs. Only in Uravakonda, sitting MLA Vishweshwar Reddy had lost the seat by a whisker to Telugu Desam Party candidate Payyavula Kesav.
It is nothing but natural that many of these Reddy MLAs, who had spent huge money in the elections, aspired for cabinet berths, but Jagan had accommodated only four Reddys in his 25-member cabinet -- Balineni Srinivasa Reddy (Ongole), Mekapati Gowtham Reddy (Atmakuru), Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy(Punganur), and Buggana Rajendra Nath Reddy (Dhone).
On the other hand, Jagan had given four cabinet berths to Kapus, seven to BCs, four to SCs and one each from ST and minority communities. Besides, one berth each was given to Kamma, Brahmin, Vysya and Kshatriya communities.
The Reddys, who were already seething with anger, are now terribly upset, as Jagan government passed a bill dedicating 50 per cent reservations to BCs, SCs and STs in all the government corporations and nominated posts.
What is worse, the YSRC chief also decided to give 50 per cent quota for BCs, SCs and STs in government nominated contracts and service contracts.
“There is nothing wrong in taking the backward communities into confidence, but what about the Reddys who have been the backbone of the party? Jagan cannot afford to neglect them,” an analyst commented.