Dissent brews over nominated posts in TDP

Srikakulam: Strong dissent is brewing within the ruling Telugu Desam party against the appointment of nominated posts in Srikakulam district. Leaders belonging to two castes are given priority in the posts which is causing heartburn against the party high command. Two leaders belonging to Kalinga caste, L L Naidu and M Ramesh have been appointed as directors for Forest Corporation (FC) and Irrigation Development Corporation (IDC). 

Naidu belongs to Tekkali Assembly segment and Ramesh belongs to Amudalavalasa segment. Naidu was appointed previously as director for BC Corporation and his term would be ended by April-end. In this backdrop he was chosen for another nominated post. Ramesh is continuing as IDC director and his term will also concluded by April-end. He was also chosen again for the same post.

Another leader from Etcherla segment N Eswara Rao belongs to Kamma caste and appointed as Housing Corporation Director. Kamma caste is a minority caste in the district and in Etcherla segment. Leaders from other castes like Kapu, Velama, Fishermen, Komati (vysya) and Reddika are strongly opposing these appointments.

Leaders from these communities are not electing as MLAs or MPs but they are expecting at least nominated posts. They are opposing giving two posts for one community and trying to unite all other castes against TDP in the coming elections. They are unable to digest second-time appointment of two leaders from Kalinga caste. 

“We worked a lot for winning of TDP in Srikakulam but now our MLAs and ministers are neglecting us,” a leader from Komati caste expressed his opinion, who did not want to be identified. “Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu assured us to include our caste into ST list in 2014 elections but later he forgot and even in nominated posts our caste leaders are not considered,” fishermen caste leader, M Phalguna Raju expressed his unhappyness over nominated posts.

By Chowdari Lakshmana Rao