As the election atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh is gradually getting heated up though it is more than a year to go for the general elections, the focus of all political parties is on consolidating their vote bank, particularly that of weaker sections.
While the ruling YSR Congress party led by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is banking on his welfare schemes being implemented with full vigour despite financial crisis, the caste factor is also going to play a crucial role in the voting pattern.
The YSRC is hoping that the welfare schemes of the Jagan government would build a favourable base for it among the weaker sections – particularly the BCs and the SCs.
On the other hand, the TDP is also banking on the support of the BCs, besides the financial backing of the Kammas.
But this time, it is believed that Kapus will be a major decisive factor in the elections.
With the Jana Sena Party headed by power star Pawan Kalyan is going all out to against the YSRC, Kapus are pinning high hopes on them.
The TDP is also hopeful that if the party has an alliance with the Jana Sena Party, it would get support from the Kapu community, which constitutes nearly 24 percent vote share.
However, Kapus do not constitute one solid community. They have sub-sects like Balijas, Telagana, Ontari, Turpu Kapus etc. If all these sub-sects vote together as a unit, they form a solid vote bank and it might pose threat to the ruling YSRC.
The Kapus in the erstwhile combined East and West Godavari districts are believed to be generally in favour of the Jana Sena.
So, the YSRC is said to be focussing on attracting the Balijas, who are predominant in Rayalaseema and Turpu Kapus of north-coastal Andhra by offering them posts and positions.
“If Jagan is able to win over the Balijas and Turpu Kapus, then it will result in a split of Kapu votes and that might ultimately benefit the ruling party,” sources said.