Social Media Talk On TTD Posts: Reddy Everywhere?

YS Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSRCP stormed to power in 2019 by clinching a majority of 151 seats out of 175 Assembly seats. This huge and one-sided wave is largely led by BCs, SCs, STs. After the swearing-in ceremony, CM Jagan made 5 Deputy CMs by maintaining social justice. He made sure his cabinet is equally balanced and indicated that he would ensure posts to all castes and communities in proportionate way. However, this social equation has been missing in all the nominated posts and government’s appointments. It has been widely alleged that one particular community is being given over importance while others are to the last.

In the wake of recent developments in the state, all eyes are on TTD. While YSRCP has nominated CM Jagan’s uncle YV Subba Reddy as the TTD Chairman, TDP had made Putta Sudhakar Yadav as the TTD Chairman in 2018. TDP had made Anil Singhal IAS as the TTD EO whereas YSRCP has made Jawahar Reddy as the Incharge EO of TTD. It can also be noted that Srinivasa Raju IAS was made the TTD’s JEO during TDP government whereas Dharma Reddy has given the TTD JEO post in YSRCP government.

Since comparisons of social equations followed by YSRCP and TDP are in talking point, it can also be noted that TDP had fielded Sugunamma for Tirupati MLA seat in 2014 and 2019 whereas Bhumana Karunakar Reddy is the choice for YSRCP to contest from Tirupati. Sugunamma won in 2014 while she lost in 2019. Karunakar Reddy has won in 2019 on YSRCP ticket.

It can also be noted that the TDP government had appointed Senthil Kumar as the Tirupati SP whereas Ramesh Reddy has been posted as Tirupati SP in YSRCP government. TDP had nominated Prof Damodar (SC) as the Vice Chancellor of SV University and Prof Janaki Ramayya (BC) as SV University’s Rector, YSRCP has made CM Jagan’s distant relative Prof Sundar Valli as the SVU’s Rector. TDP has made Dr Ravi Kumar (Brahmin) as the Director of Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in their rule whereas Dr Vengamma Reddy is the YCP’s choice as the SVIMS Director.

While Dr G Jagadish (who belongs to Kamma community) has been serving as the Director of the Balaji Institute for Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for Disabled (BIRRD) for 23 long years and he has become ‘BIRRD’ Jagadish for his services to patients, he has been replaced by Dr Madanmohan Reddy after YCP came to power. It can also be noted that Shukla IAS was made Tirupati’s sub-collector in TDP government whereas YCP government has made Nagarjuna Reddy as Tirupati sub-collector.

As Tirupati is heading for a by-election for its Lok Sabha constituency following the death of YCP MP Balli Durga Rao due to Covid, the caste equations and social equations are back in discussion. Many netizens are widely sharing the YCP’s track record of giving nominated posts to one particular community. It is high-time, CM Jagan should work upon the severe criticism against his government.

On the other hand, TDP has upped its social equation and gave a large chunk of posts to BCs during its recent overhaul of the party. Apart from making BC leader Atchannaidu as party president for AP state, it announced another BC leader Kollu Ravindra as the vice-president of AP unit. Of the 25 presidents chosen to lead the party in 25 parliamentary constituencies, 10 belong to the BC community. Chandrababu has put Jagan in a tight spot in the form of social justice.