In Andhra Pradesh, Brahmins are being ignored by major political parties despite making up 0.83% of the state’s population. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has never given a ticket to a Brahmin candidate in recent elections. This contrasts with past practices, where Brahmins were included in political positions.
Under N T Rama Rao, Brahmins like Karanam Ramachandra Rao were included in the Cabinet. However, since Chandrababu Naidu took over, Brahmins have been phased out from the TDP’s power dynamics. In contrast, YS Rajasekhara Reddy and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have accommodated Brahmins in electoral politics.
The YSR Congress has fielded Brahmin candidates like Kona Raghupathi, Malladi Vishnu, and Dronamraju Srinivas in past elections. The TDP, on the other hand, has not included any Brahmin candidates in their list for the upcoming polls.
The caste composition among the TDP’s candidates for the 2024 elections shows a lack of Brahmin representation. This has caused Brahmins, who traditionally supported the TDP, to feel neglected.
YS Jagan is focusing on social engineering by including representatives from different communities in his government. This strategy may impact the election results and change the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh.
