TRS hit by 'Tudum Debba'

Adilabad: The questionable performance of sitting MP and TRS nominee from Adilabad Parliament constituency Godam Nagesh during the last five years has forced the Adivasis to change their priorities in the Parliament elections.

Initially perceived as favourable to the ruling TRS, the election for Adilabad LS constituency, reserved for Scheduled Tribes, has now become unsure with the Adivasis inclining towards BJP candidate Soyam Bapu Rao.

The Adivasis are dissatisfied with the performance of G Nagesh, who belongs to Gond tribe, in Lok Sabha about the Adivasi movement for removing Lambadas from STs list and for not supporting their movement. Not only this, they are also angry with Nagesh over the issue of agricultural lands of non-tribals in agency areas. They alleged that the forest officials are trying to evict the tribals from reserve forest in Agency areas.

The Adivasis formed Adivasi Hakkula Porata Samiti, popularly known as 'Tudum Debba' and launched an agitation demanding removal of Lambada tribe from STs' list. Tudum Debba

State president Soyam Bapu Rao led the agitation. A conflict between Lambadas and Adivasis has been simmering for long over the share of government benefits. The Adivasis claim that the Lambadas have been taking over most of the opportunities reserved for them.

The hostility of Adivasis towards TRS candidate G Nagesh may likely benefit the candidates of BJP and Congress. It seems that the Adivasis are approaching BJP candidate Soyam Bapu Rao for Adilabad LS constituency. Sources say that all the tribal gudems are united and in favour of the BJP candidate, who earlier supported their movement.

Bapu Rao lost Boath Assembly constituency in the last Assembly elections with negligible margin of votes. Vexed with the sitting MP, the Adivasis reportedly decided to vote for Bapu Rao.

Two leaders – G Nagesh and S Bapu Rao – belong to Gond community while Congress candidate Rathod Ramesh belongs to Lambada community and he is hoping to get the votes of all Lambadas in his favour.