: The demand for inclusion of the Kapu community in the list of Backward Classes is likely to hot up political temperature again with the Kapu leader and former Minister Mudgragada Padmanabham planning to launch a ‘ratha yatra’ soon.
“The second hand van modified for taking up the yatra is ready and on Friday a puja was performed at his residence at Kirlampudi,” said a close associate of Mr. Padmanabham. After the puja, the “Kapu Atma Gourava Ratham” (Van to preserve self-respect of Kapus) was fully covered and kept on the premises. Mr. Padmanabham is planning to conduct the yatra before the Manjunatha Commission, which was appointed by the AP State Government to study the status of Kapus, begins its tour of the State from June 1, sources said. Apparently he is facing pressure from his community leaders to take up the yatra with police allegedly ‘harassing’ those involved in the violent incident in Tuni that followed his fast in January.
“All the important Kapu leaders from different parts of the State are going to come to Kirlampudi on May 15 to discuss about ‘ratha yatra,’ fix the date and the route and future course of action,” Mr. Padmanabham’s associate said.
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But when contacted over phone, Mr. Padmanabham denied having plans to take out a ‘ratha yatra’ and said he had already toured Anantapur, Kadapa, Srikakulam and other districts on the demand of including Kapus in the BCs list. “Where is the necessity of taking up Ratha Yatra? A sword is hanging on our heads and anytime the police will arrest us and we are ready to face any eventuality,” he added.