The 2004 Assembly elections are a watershed in the 50-year history of Andhra Pradesh. For the first time in the State, caste influenced the outcome of the polls across the state. Earlier, caste of the contesting candidates mattered in a few constituencies and the castes engaged in the tug varied from one constituency to the other. That changed in 2004. For the first time AP Assembly elections were a straight contest between two castes all over the State — Kamma, represented by the ruling TDP and Reddy, represented by the Opposition Congress. That these parties allied with ideologically opposed parties like the BJP and Communists or had given tickets to all castes made no difference. Elections were perceived as Kamma-Reddy contest. Reddys i.e. Congress won the elections.
Ever since May 2004, caste became the touchstone to evaluate government and its policies. So, when YSR government changed the prevailing slab system prevailing for theaters, it would be seen as a move aimed at weakening the monopoly of the Kammas in Tollywood. When MLA Paritala Ravi is murdered, it is seen as liquidation of a Kamma heavyweight by the Reddys to regain their stranglehold in Rayalaseema. The inquiry ordered into actions of / allegations against former CM Chandrababu or his party colleagues like Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, Karanam Balram etc were seen as Reddy Group’s attempt at undermining a Kamma Party. If Congress government succeeded in chasing and arresting white-collar offender Kosaraju Venkateswara Rao and got him deported from Bangkok, it was because he is a Kamma!
There is more to this. TDP’s Chandrababu’s criticism of government actions reinforced the perception of an ongoing Kamma-Reddy war. Babu’s severe criticism of parole to life convict Gowru Venkat Reddy was seen as his opposition to any sympathy for Reddys! Babu’s frequent high-pitched arguments with YSR on the floor of Assembly are interpreted as his unwillingness to accept a Reddy as CM! Eenadu is vociferous and trenchant in its criticism of government actions because it’s owned by Kamma! Irrespective of any truth in any of these issues, perception of a Kamma-Reddy Cold War in the State was a reality.
Eenadu Queers The Pitch: Eenadu focussed only on "development news" in the first three years of Babu’s tenure (after 1999 elections). However, Eenadu was less sympathetic to the YSR government. Less than six months of YSR’s rule, the paper started ‘exposes’ and lambasted the government’s ‘inaction’ on various problems. Perception of Cold War ended when Eenadu dropped its veil of ‘people’s interest’ and launched an Open War against the Reddys with its ‘Peddala Gaddala’ report that gave a long (exclusive) list of Reddys who benefited by purchasing land along the proposed outer ring road (ORR), Hyderabad. What the paper did not report is the names of Kammas who also bought land (but lost a portion of it due to the deliberate realignment by the Congress (Reddy) government.) What the paper most shamelessly hid from the public is the loss to its owner Ramoji who desperately lobbied and moved courts to avoid losing land.
The Margadarsi controversy is the latest battle in the Kamma-Reddy War and this time it’s a fight to finish. It’s straight between YSR and Ramoji. Undavalli is inconsequential. Everyone knows this — a direct attack on Ramoji is the endgame and if Ramoji loses it will seal the fate of Chandrababu and Telugu Desam. That's explains why Babu was the first to jump to the defence of Ramoji. Also explains why Ramoji is supported by all Kammas cutting across party lines — Babu, Venkaiah, JP, Raghavulu… others. What next? Will Ramoji be arrested? Should not be ruled out…. Remember Times of India owner Jain was arrested. If Karunanidhi can comeback to power after stripping Jayalalitha in Assembly once, it’s unlikely that those engaged in an endgame would see any extreme action as politically risky! Post comments or write to us @ apmedia@rediffmail.com
Ever since May 2004, caste became the touchstone to evaluate government and its policies. So, when YSR government changed the prevailing slab system prevailing for theaters, it would be seen as a move aimed at weakening the monopoly of the Kammas in Tollywood. When MLA Paritala Ravi is murdered, it is seen as liquidation of a Kamma heavyweight by the Reddys to regain their stranglehold in Rayalaseema. The inquiry ordered into actions of / allegations against former CM Chandrababu or his party colleagues like Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, Karanam Balram etc were seen as Reddy Group’s attempt at undermining a Kamma Party. If Congress government succeeded in chasing and arresting white-collar offender Kosaraju Venkateswara Rao and got him deported from Bangkok, it was because he is a Kamma!
There is more to this. TDP’s Chandrababu’s criticism of government actions reinforced the perception of an ongoing Kamma-Reddy war. Babu’s severe criticism of parole to life convict Gowru Venkat Reddy was seen as his opposition to any sympathy for Reddys! Babu’s frequent high-pitched arguments with YSR on the floor of Assembly are interpreted as his unwillingness to accept a Reddy as CM! Eenadu is vociferous and trenchant in its criticism of government actions because it’s owned by Kamma! Irrespective of any truth in any of these issues, perception of a Kamma-Reddy Cold War in the State was a reality.
Eenadu Queers The Pitch: Eenadu focussed only on "development news" in the first three years of Babu’s tenure (after 1999 elections). However, Eenadu was less sympathetic to the YSR government. Less than six months of YSR’s rule, the paper started ‘exposes’ and lambasted the government’s ‘inaction’ on various problems. Perception of Cold War ended when Eenadu dropped its veil of ‘people’s interest’ and launched an Open War against the Reddys with its ‘Peddala Gaddala’ report that gave a long (exclusive) list of Reddys who benefited by purchasing land along the proposed outer ring road (ORR), Hyderabad. What the paper did not report is the names of Kammas who also bought land (but lost a portion of it due to the deliberate realignment by the Congress (Reddy) government.) What the paper most shamelessly hid from the public is the loss to its owner Ramoji who desperately lobbied and moved courts to avoid losing land.
The Margadarsi controversy is the latest battle in the Kamma-Reddy War and this time it’s a fight to finish. It’s straight between YSR and Ramoji. Undavalli is inconsequential. Everyone knows this — a direct attack on Ramoji is the endgame and if Ramoji loses it will seal the fate of Chandrababu and Telugu Desam. That's explains why Babu was the first to jump to the defence of Ramoji. Also explains why Ramoji is supported by all Kammas cutting across party lines — Babu, Venkaiah, JP, Raghavulu… others. What next? Will Ramoji be arrested? Should not be ruled out…. Remember Times of India owner Jain was arrested. If Karunanidhi can comeback to power after stripping Jayalalitha in Assembly once, it’s unlikely that those engaged in an endgame would see any extreme action as politically risky! Post comments or write to us @ apmedia@rediffmail.com
6 comments:
Reddy and Kamma, both are crooks. But when Chandrababu was ruling, Eenadu did not publish the names of Kammas ruling the roost in official postings. Its only when a Reddy is ruling, people like Bandlamudi Subba Rao would supply list of Reddys in top positions and the Kamma media published very dutifully.
Why cry over Kamma or Reddy media. Why not the Brahmins ruling the media. "B for Brahmin" - how many times didn't hear this dialogue, when these brahmin chiefs helped 'unworthy' journalists. Just because they were "B for Brahmins".But how does it matter? LOL.
Could be, they might have helped some 'unworthy' journalists. But, it's a bet, in the state's history of journalism, B's did not brought down the field of journalism, to be used as a bitch, asking reporters, to go and report "our views", of "our people" for "our interests" etc..
excellent piece.Thereis no independent media in AP.Eenadu protects the businees intrests of kammas and eenadu group,similarly vaartha protects the intrests of girish sanghi and his busineess.Unfortunately there is no free and frank opinions aired in the media.andhra jothi can fill the gap but it is also succumbing to anti government propoganda.Your blog is filling that space excellent keep it up.
Caught in the crossfire between treacherous Kammas and dangerous Reddys, the State is going to dogs. Due to lack of a good leadership for dalits, the two castes are ruling the roost one after another. See the SC and ST leaders, they are happy with the mamools they get from the errant government officials. They are blissfully ignorant of the fact that the two castes have been using them as mere vote banks. It is unfortunate.
Coming to the possible arrest of Ramoji, the idea itself gives kick to many people in and out of Eenadu. Instead of a witch-hunt, law should be allowed to take its own course. We hope Ramoji is ready to go behind bars “to save democracy and journalism.”
it really doesnt matter which caste owner owns a news paper.it is sad that we have to look in this way.what is really important is freedom of press.I really think congress is trying to wipe out tdp and eenadu on a systematic manner.several hundred tdp party workers were killed and they are trying to wipe out eenadu group.Congress is traditionally more corrupt than any other party and if they systematically wipe out the opposition their corruption will get much worse.
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