Koppula Velama community, which is one of the prominent communities of Andhra Pradesh, is hopeful that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would give priority to the community in the ensuing Cabinet reshuffle.
After Kapu community, Koppula Velama community has a significant population in the north Andhra region. The community which has around 20 lakh population plays a vital role in the elections. Its support is essential for victory for any party in elections, according to political analysts. Peddinti Jaganmohana Rao, Kolla Appala Naidu, Bandaru Satyanarayana, Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, and other leaders used to get Cabinet berths in previous governments. However, their importance has gradually come down in Andhra Pradesh politics, particularly after the bifurcation of the State in 2014. Currently, the community has five YSRCP legislators, including Sambangi Venkata China Appala Naidu (Bobbili), Kadubandri Srinivasa Rao (S.Kota), Budi Mutyalanaidu (Madugula), Annamreddy Adeep Raju (Pendurthi) and P. Ganesh (Narsipatnam).
Among them, Mr. Appala Naidu is the seniormost legislator and got elected to Assembly four times. Budi Mutyalanaidu got elected twice to Assembly and the remaining three persons were elected for the first time to the Assembly in the 2019 general elections. Among those five legislators, none could get an opportunity to work as the Minister in Jagan’s Cabinet. Now, the community has stepped up pressure on the Chief Minister to get representation in the Cabinet reshuffle scheduled on April 11.
Andhra Pradesh Koppula Velama Association’s State president Gottapu Chinnam Naidu, who interacted with community leaders in Vizianagaram, said that it was high time the community get political respect and recognition. “At least one Minister post has to be given to the legislators of Koppula Velama community which is playing a vital role in 35 Assembly constituencies. Although the community does not get many MLA seats, its role and support help candidates win elections in East and West Godavari districts too,” said Mr. Chinnam Naidu.
Meanwhile, Sambangi China Venkata Appala Naidu’s followers are eagerly waiting for positive news from the CMO’s office. “Mr. Appala Naidu was elected to Assembly in 1983 itself. He could defeat TDP’s heavyweight and Bobbili Raja Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao in the 2019 elections. Considering his age, political seniority and clean image, he should be given an opportunity to become Minister in Jagan’s cabinet,” said M. Ramesh, a local YSRCP leader. Supporters of S.Kota MLA Kadubandi Srinivasa Rao are also hopeful that he would be given a chance since Mr. Jagan provided an opportunity for the first-time MLAs in his Cabinet.
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