Ex-DGP laments ‘concentration of power’ in TDP and YSRCP

Dr. Rao called for Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians and greater political representation for BC Muslims, Yerukulas, Yanadis and other under-represented communities

Metro India News | ELURU| GUNTUR 

Former Director-General of Police and All India Bahujan Samaj Party (AIBSP) National Coordinator Dr. J. Purnachandra Rao criticized the TDP and YSRCP leadership for what he described as the continued concentration of political power among a few communities and families. He called upon voters to support Gubbala Nageswara Rao, a retired Tahsildar contesting the Eluru mayoral election on the blackboard symbol, and Dr. Rajanikant, who is contesting from Division 66 of the Guntur Municipal Corporation on the camera symbol. He also expressed support for B. Shukla, contesting from Ward 38 in Guntur on the gas cylinder symbol.

Addressing separate meetings organized by the Social Democratic Front (SDF) in Eluru and Guntur on Friday, Dr. Rao said educated professionals and retired government employees should enter public life to strengthen political representation and address civic problems. He said Nageswara Rao had been associated with the Bahujan movement since his retirement, while Dr. Rajanikant had held senior positions in the insurance sector. Expressing concern over the condition of urban slums, he claimed that approximately 1.5 lakh people in Eluru and two lakh in Guntur continued to live in poorly serviced settlements.

He questioned why successive governments had failed to provide adequate housing, drinking water, drainage and sanitation despite their claims of development and welfare. He also raised concerns over short nomination periods, delays in issuing certificates, alleged pressure on independent candidates and the increasing influence of money and liquor in elections.

Representation deficit

Demanding implementation of the promised 34% reservation for Backward Classes in local bodies, Dr. Rao called for Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians and greater political representation for BC Muslims, Yerukulas, Yanadis and other under-represented communities. He claimed that nearly 200 castes and sub-castes in Andhra Pradesh had never secured representation in the Legislative Assembly.