 BHAVA VEENA  Journal of Arts, Literary, Culture & Language Study  7989781963, Editor : Kolla Sri Krishnarao 9490847482. E-mail : [email protected] Rohini Towers, 2/11 Brodipet, -2. Vol. 18 - Issue. 3 - March 2021 - ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 - Rs. : 15/- EDITORIAL BOARD Chief Editor PITTA SANTHI M.A.(Tel), M.Sc(Psy).,M.Ed.,M.Phil(Edu),(Ph.D)., C/o. Dr. Busi Venkataswamy Holy Homes Apartment, Postal colony , 4 Th Line,- 522 002, Guntur Dist., A.P. Cell no : 7386529274, 7989781963.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

1. Prof. G. Yohan Babu, M.A., PhD. 4. Dr. Busi Venkataswamy, M.A. (Tel)., M.A (San)., Dept. of Telugu, M.A (Ling)., PhD. Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. HOD & Research Guide, Dept. of Telugu PAS College, Pedanandipadu. 2. Prof. K. Madhu Jyothi, M.A., PhD. 5. Thottempudi Sree Ganesh, M.A., M.Phil Dept. of Telugu, (Computational Linguistics) (Ph.D) Sri Padmavathi Mahila University, Research Scientist, Centre for Applied Linguistics Tirupathi. and Transalation Studies, Universityof Heidelberg, Germany. 3. Prof. C. Srirama Chandra Murthy, M.A., PhD. 6. Dr. Ponnama Reddy Kumari Neeraja M.A., Ph.D. Dept. of Telugu, Faculty of Arts, HOD, Dept. of Telugu, Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Utter Pradesh. Govt. Degree College, Puttur, Chittor Dist.

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

1. Dr.N. R. SADASIVA REDDY, M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. Asst. Professor, 4. Dr. K. Lavanya, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. Dept. of Telugu & Comparative Literature, Board of Studies Chairman, Sri Krishna Deva Raya University, Telangana University, Dichpally, Ananthapuram, . Nizamabad, Telangana. 2. Prof. V.SANKARA RAO, M.A.,M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. 5. Prof. N.V. KRISHNA RAO, M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. HOD, Dept. of Telugu, Dept. of Telugu & O.L., Madras University, Acharya Nagarjuna University, CHENNAI, Tamilnadu. Nagarjuna Nagar, . 3. Dr. D. SESHUBABU, M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. 6. Dr. A. JYOTHI, M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. Asst. Professor, Dept.of Hindi, Associate Professor, Dept. of Telugu, Moulana Azad National Urdu University, Kakatiya University, Warangal District. HYDERABAD, Telangana. Telangana. 7. Dr. J. VENKATA RAMANA, M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. 18. Dr. Kakani Sudhakar, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. Asst.Professor, Dept.of Modern Indian Languages, Dept. of Telugu, Madhurai Kamaraj University, Madhurai, S.S.N. College, - 522 601. Tamilnadu. 19. Dr. K. Pushpamma, M.A., PhD. 8. Dr. N. Eswar Reddy, M.A., PhD. HOD, Dept. of Telugu, Associate Professor, Dept. of Telugu, SVRM College, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa. Nagaram - 522 035. 9. Prof. P.R. Harinadh, M.A., M.Ed., M.Phil,PhD. 20. Dr. P. Srinivasa Rao, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. Dept. of Telugu, PDF Scholar, Dept. of Telugu, Regional Institute of Education (NCRT) Andhra University, Visakhapathan. Manasa Gangothri, Mysore, Karnataka. 21. Dr. Ch. Praveen Kumar, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. 10. Dr. B. Tirupathi, M.A., PhD. PDF Scholar, Dept. of Telugu, Associate Professor, Dept. of Telugu, Kakatiya University, Warangal. Dravidian University, Kuppam, Chittor Dist. 22. Dr. N. Rambabu, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. 11. Dr. T.SATYANARAYANA, M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. Project Senior Fellow, Dept. of Classical Asst.Professor, Dept. of Telugu, Adikavi Nannaya University, Literature, Nellore. RAJAMUNDRY, East Godavari, A.P. 23. Dr. G. Sailamma, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. 12. Mr. D.ESWARA RAO, M.A., Editorial Assistat, Principal, Centre for Publications Dravidian University, P.A.S.College, PEDANANDIPADU-522 235, Kuppam, Chittor Dist. Guntur, A.P. 24. Dr. M. Sangeetha Rao, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. 13. Dr. P. VIJAYA KUMAR, M.A.,M.Phil,PhD. Guest Faculty, Dept. of Telugu, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Telugu, Central University of Andhra Pradesh, Central University of Andhra Pradesh, Ananthapuram District. A.P. Ananthapuram District. A.P. 25. Dr. M. Prasad, M.A., M.A. (San)., PhD. Diploma in Maliyalam. 14. Dr. K. RAVI, M.A., M.Phil,PhD. School Assistant (Telugu) HOD, Dept. of Telugu, C.R. Reddy College, Govt. High School, . A.P. Rapuru, SPSR Nellore. 15. Dr. G. Swarnalatha, M.A., PhD. Asst. Proffesor, Dept. of Telugu, 26. Dr. V. Triveni Govt. Women’s College (A), Guntur. Head & Assistant Professor, 16. Dr. V. Naga Rajyalakshmi, M.A., PhD. Dept. of Telugu Studies, Rt Principal,Govt .Degree College, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad. Chebrole , Guntur, A.P. 27. Dr. Mark Poloneyes, M.A., M.Phil., PhD. 17. Dr. Guntupalli Gowri, M.A., PhD. Principal & HOD, Dept. of Telugu, P.G. Centre, Gadwal, Govt. College for Women, Guntur - 522 002. Palamuru University, Mahabobnagar, Telangana.

LEGAL ADVISER Dr. A. GURAVAIAH, M.A., L.L.M., PhD., Principal & Research Guide, Dept., of Law, A. C. Law College, GUNTUR - 522 002, A.P.

DTP & PRINTING TENALI PRAKASH, G.L.S. GRAPHICS, LEMALLE, Guntur. 94 94 660 509.

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Edited, Printed, Published and owned by Kolla Srikrishna Rao, Rohini Towers, 2/11 Brodipet, GUNTUR - 522 002. Andhra Pradesh. Cell : 7386529274, 7989781963. E-mail : [email protected] at : GLS Enterprises, Kavitha Nagar, Guntur - 522 002. Ph. 94 94 660 509. BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category Contents                                                                                                                Technology and Academic Engagement - Dr. A. SrinivasaMurthy   Decline of Parliamentary Ideas in Indian legislature - Dr. Sandeep   E-Learning and Higher Education - Dr. Y. Lalitha Kumari   “The long awaited transformation of Kuchipudi .... - Bijina k k   Power Thrust of Caste : The Political Journey - S Swaroop Sirapangi   4 BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category Power Thrust of Kapu Caste : The Political Journey of Two Leaders in Andhra Pradesh - S Swaroop Sirapangi, Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad. Abstract : is extended en-bloc to the Kapus; then the The paper encapsulates attention towards existing BC fear that they have to lose two Kapu caste politicians (Dasari Narayana substantially. Kapu sect is not homogeneous. Rao and Chiranjeevi) from the film background. Its heterogeneous categories include; Kapu, Kapu masses are ambitious to capture the Munnur Kapu, Ontari, Telaga, Balija, and Turpu political power, but unsuccessful so far. At some Kapu. These communities collectively assert to level, these two politicians wished to realise the secure political power and BC status. Though aspirations of the Kapus and their desire by a few of them are included under the BC, they capturing the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister wish to achieve BC status en-bloc. (Chennur, position. The paper presents a vivid perspective 2019) on these two politicians role through the Andhra One of the dominant qualities any caste Pradesh political process. Thus, methodolo- wishes to maintain is status symbolism. From gically, the paper adopted a political discourse this dimension, it is pointed-out that Kapus analysis. At last, concludes by observing how compare with both the upper and lower castes. and why these two politicians were unsuccessful For instance, Kapus renewed political ambition so far? is attributed to their comparison with the Key Words : Andhra Pradesh, Coastal ’s political success under Nandamuri Andhra, Kapu, Indian National Congress, Praja Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) leadership. NTR Rajyam Party. ventured into the political domain from a Kapu is a dominant caste spread across the charismatic film background and became the Telugu region in South . While aspiring for AP Chief Minister (CM). NTR launched the political power, Kapus also project their Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and he was its backwardness. Thus, they have a dual-edged President. Kamma’s increasingly owned NTR target. While political power is targeted based and the TDP since the decade 1980. TDP also on their believed numerical strength, backward garnered a significant BC vote bank. (Neuss status is aimed at argued poverty. However, 1988) (Suri 1994) existing Backward Classes (BC) in Andhra Since AP formation in 1956, Reddy’s Pradesh (AP) is against the inclusion of Kapus political domination continued unabatedly until en-bloc in the BC fold, as their share of Kamma’s under TDP captured political power opportunity diminishes. Moreover, most of the in 1983. Political domination refers to the existing BC feels that the Kapus are relatively ascendance of CM position either by the Reddy advanced; hence Kapus does not deserve BC or Kamma castes, primarily. Any caste can reservation en-bloc. By chance, BC reservation dominate mainstream political society; when

 155 BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category succeeded to provide hope and secure majority consolidation, even after the Tollywood shifted vote share in ‘first past the post-Indian electoral base from Madras city to Hyderabad. system’. The political success of the TDP Chiranjeevi also played a pivotal role in the resulted in the establishment of dominant two- strengthening of the Movie Artists Association party-system ascendance in AP within the multi- (MAA) at Hyderabad. In Tollywood, a few party space. While Reddy’s overwhelmingly castes are more visible; they include, but not associated with the INC at the AP level, limited to; Kamma, Kapu and Brahmin. Among Kamma’s primordial affiliation was seen with these communities, Brahmins were limited to the TDP. Before Kamma’s politically certain specific domains, like; Music, singing, consolidation under the TDP, they were leading comedy, dubbing and other (side) character Communist Parties but never captured political roles. (Srinivas 2009) (Totten) power by ascending the AP CM position. The Though there are vast admirers and fans to prime party leadership of the INC and TDP film stars, since the second part of the decade also revolved around Reddy and Kamma 1990, a visible trend emerged where castes, respectively. Amidst of competitive increasingly Kapu and Kamma lead stars were political atmosphere between the Reddy and owned by some sections of their respective Kamma, other castes like the Kapus felt political caste people hyper-actively. This phenomenon alienation. (Elliot 2008) was also well projected by the media. The present article introduces two Kapu Moreover, this trend was much visible in a few personalities; Dasari Narayana Rao and districts, like; East Godavari, Chiranjeevi. These two persons hailed from West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur, where one Coastal Andhra district, i.e., West Godavari. these two communities have specific historical, These two persons had initial innings in film cultural, political and numerical yield. The neo- career. After achieving substantive success in liberal economic lifestyle and societal dynamics Tollywood, both of them aspired to succeed also had an impact on the development of this even politically.1 The Kapu caste background phenomenon. also had its share in owning these two Nara Chandrababu Naidu (Naidu), as the personalities. Same time, these individuals also TDP President and AP CM on a few occasions, wished to continue the backed support of their has had immense belief in the film and television Kapu masses. Thus, a mutual (benefiter) personalities’ charisma. He has been well complementary factor went-in between these known for hiring film and television personalities film personalities and Kapu masses. Kapus and advertising agencies for the TDP election regarded their film people’s popularity as an campaigns. At times, though his belief and indicator to validate their community’s growth strategy bounced back, he continued the same in society. strategy. Naidu is not a mass leader. However, Chiranjeevi became a star by throwing back, he took charge of the TDP through a successful and with-stood Kamma stars domination in political coup by ousting his father-in-law NTR. Tollywood. He played a crucial role in Kapus Thus, Naidu grabbed two positions from NTR;  156 BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category the TDP President and AP CM. Though Naidu social messages oriented films and then entered is not charismatic, lacked mass appeal and politics. orator skills, he continued as AP CM and TDP Chiranjeevi launched the Praja Rajyam President; through various backed sources Party (PRP) in August 2008, barely a few support, like media. Even the INC leaders, as months before scheduled elections to the AP significant opposition, highlighted that (the Legislative Assembly (LA). This strategy of Kamma) media was a crucial (evil) force for Chiranjeevi was critiqued by comparing it with the continuation of (draconian) Naidu’s TDP the NTR style. NTR launched the TDP barely rule.2 (Balagopal, 1995) (Gundimeda 2017) nine months before scheduled elections to the When the AP governance regime was under AP LA and successfully became the AP CM. non-charismatic Naidu, the popularity of film From this dimension, Chiranjeevi’s PRP launch actors Chiranjeevi and Nandamuri Balakrishna was seen and critiqued that he aspired to tarnish (Balakrishna) rose to peaks. Their fans started or equal NTR’s record. However, Chiranjeevi to shout in film events that their respective actors used to negate such comparative comment and would become the future AP CM. This trend observation. went on for some sustained duration. Both Chiranjeevi romanticised the PRP’s agenda Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna were seen as the was to achieve ‘social justice’. However, the embodiments of Kapu and Kamma castes PRP failed to define what constituted their popularity, respectively, in Tollywood.3 version of ‘social justice’ perception? The PRP Previously, when NTR entered politics, this projected three prominent characters range of caste consciousness and polarisation symbolism; MK Gandhi, Mother Theresa and was not publicly visible on a comparative basis. Ambedkar. All these three characters The Masses in AP connected with NTR through represented divergent ideological variations. their dominant perception of NTR’s lead Chiranjeevi’s projection of Mother Theresa, a mythological roles as Lord Rama and Krishna social service-oriented person as inspiration for in films. Such perspective recollection among politics, was also critiqued. Chiranjeevi offered the masses also resulted in the TDP’s victory in no particular justification about ideological the year 1983 election. Kapus perceived differences between Gandhi and Ambedkar as Kamma’s political success under the TDP and the PRP leader. NTR from a film popularity perspective. As a Anyhow, the PRP’s social justice principle result, Kapus aspired that their super film hero, was understood; to oust the Kamma and Reddy Chiranjeevi, might also achieve the same dominance under the TDP and INC, political success as Kamma’s NTR. respectively. It was propagated that the PRP Chiranjeevi’s supporters used to indicate then would lead all castes which were deprived of that he would venture into politics. When political power. In this respect, sections like; Chiranjeevi’s age was becoming an obstacle the BC, Scheduled Castes (SC), and to play lead romantic roles, he acted in a few Scheduled Tribes (ST) developed many  157 BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category aspirations. Nevertheless, in the pragmatic At last, the PRP was able to secure around electoral discourse contrary to expectation 16 per cent vote share and won 18 seats on prevailed. The PRP preferred strong the floor of AP LA. However, the PRP failed communities in the allotment of constituency to represent on the floor of LS. The PRP’s final seats rather than giving preference to the electoral performance shocked many, at least marginalised sections like the SC, ST and BC. all those who were enthused at media hype and (Gundimeda 2009) Moreover, corruption had hopes on Chiranjeevi’s leadership, like allegations were made against Chiranjeevi and those from the Kapu masses. Though party coterie. The principal allegation was that Chiranjeevi accepted the PRP failure, he also the PRP sold B-Forms to compelling caste failed, post-election scenario, to prove candidates at a higher price.4 The Telugu Media leadership qualities. His co-Members of covered corruption accusations on an Legislative Assembly (MLA’s) pressurised that unprecedented scale. As a source of it would be prudent to merge the PRP with confirmation to such news, a few PRP leaders INC. The MLA’s were disappointed after resigned. Then, the PRP prime leadership had witnessing Chiranjeevi’s inability to lead the a tough time to negate corruption allegations. PRP effectively, post-election scenario. As a Though Chiranjeevi attempted to forge a result, the MLA’s feared that continuing under pre-electoral alliance with the Telangana Chiranjeevi’s ineffective leadership might Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for 2009 elections, such endanger their political leadership and attempts failed. KCR withdrew such a plan and representative fortunes on the floor of AP LA aligned with another dominant opposition sect and in the wider political society. (Mahakutami, i.e., grand alliance). The PRP All of a sudden, AP CM YS Rajashekara leadership had desperately wished for a pre- Reddy (YSR) passed away in September 2009. electoral alliance with at-least the Communist YSR death brought drastic changes in AP Party of India (CPI) and CPI (Marxist). politics. As a result, it became difficult for the However, the CPI and CPI (Marxist) national INC to govern at the AP level. The INC at the leaderships refused to align by doubting the AP level faced intensified danger from YSR son PRP’s organisational calibre. But then, the PRP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (Jagan) and TRS had never wished to align either with the INC Chief - Kalvakuntala Chandrashekar Rao or TDP openly. Even the INC and TDP also (KCR). Jagan developed an aspiration for the never wished to align with the PRP publicly. AP CM position against the INC prime national Thus, this indicates, at some level, three leadership wish. Further, KCR’s fast-on-to- significant castes leadership held parties came death agitation for immediate TS formation into a direct electoral fight; Reddy’s led INC, pressurised the INC leadership. Jagan and Kamma’s led TDP, and Kapus led PRP. Finally, KCR factors received unprecedented support the PRP contested alone in the 2009 elections from various INC leaders and activists, to the AP LA and Lok Sabha (LS) including from the MLA’s. As a result, the INC constituencies. (K C Suri, 2009) started to lose vote bank and leaders drastically.  158 BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category However, the INC managed to run the Apart from film direction, Dasari also government for five years duration, i.e., 2009- ventured into the media sector as a vernacular 2014. Towards this direction, the INC even promoter daily, Udayam (in Telugu). However, initiated steps to secure the PRP support for Dasari failed to operate Udayam for a sustained the AP INC government’s sustenance. Finally, duration. At last, Dasari closed-down Udayam. the INC merged the PRP into its fold. By Udayam’s journalistic adventure in Telugu media merging the PRP into its fold, the INC also felt was seen as an attempt to (with) stand against that the Kapu vote bank might firmly turn into Kamma’s owned Eenadu media group under its fold, including the PRP’s secured around 16 Cherukuri Ramoji Rao’s ownership. Eenadu per cent vote share in the last elections. By was known for its open leaning support to the perceiving Chiranjeevi as an icon from the Kapu TDP, as prominently observed by the community, the INC elevated him to the Rajya opposition parties and other society sections. Sabha and inducted him into the Union Council After the sensational hit of his directed film, of Ministry headed by Manmohan Singh. Osey Ramulamma, Dasari developed direct (Gundimeda, 2013) political aspiration. During this time, the rule of Even before Chiranjeevi rose to prominence Naidu’s CM regime was going-on. In 1999, among the Kapus, there was another famous Dasari announced his plan to launch a new film personality from Kapus, i.e., Dasari political party, Telugu Talli (Telugu Mother). Narayana Rao. Dasari, as he was popularly However, he failed to realise the plan concretely. addressed, was a film director in Tollywood. It was believed and reported on some low level Since the year 1989, Dasari was visibly that the INC played behind the scene role in associated with the INC for election pacifying Dasari not to launch a separate party campaigns.5 Vangaveeti Mohana Ranga and spoil (united) opposition prospects against (Ranga), an INC leader, MLA and Kapu leader the TDP. The INC and Dasari had Naidu’s TDP from coastal Andhra, was assassinated in as a prime target to defeat. Though Dasari had December 1988. The Kapus primarily accused a publicly visible political association with the the then TDP government headed by NTR and INC since the year 1989, in the year 2000, he a few TDP (Kamma) leaders as prime accused was elevated to the Rajya Sabha. The INC’s behind Ranga’s assassination. The gruesome periodic alignment with Dasari first and then with murder of Ranga made Dasari take a direct Chiranjeevi was understood as part of the INC political side on behalf of the INC. The murder political co-option technique. The INC has of Ranga made Kapus develop antagonism been known for an aggressive caste and against the Kamma leadership held TDP. As a prominent (caste) personality’s co-option result, a few of them consolidated under the technique. (Kothari, 2012) INC. Dasari’s visible political association with When the INC formed a coalition the INC should primarily be understood from government, United Progressive Alliance this dimension, apart from other observable (UPA); from AP and that too from Kapu side, perspectives. Dasari was recognised as a prominent  159 BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category personality. As a result, he was inducted into him the AP CM. Even Chiranjeevi also openly the Union Council of Ministry headed by never expressed a desire for the AP CM Manmohan Singh in 2004. Dasari contended position after merging with the INC. After the to get co-opted by the INC in his political career PRP’s electoral debacle, Chiranjeevi seemed even without aspiring for the AP CM position. to have understood political reality; how difficult Dasari’s withdrawal from the Telugu Talli party’s it was to become AP CM and continue in the launch and acceptance to continue under the same position successfully. During this time, INC also indicates the same. By continuing though the INC faced a problem with the under the INC, Dasari accepted Reddy’s Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party domination at the AP level in the INC and (YSRCP) and TRS, it left the AP CM position showed sustained opposition to the Kamma’s to a Reddy, i.e., Kiran Kumar Reddy. Jagan led TDP. Ideologically, both the INC and TDP launched the YSRCP after resigning to the INC. are well recognised as centrist parties. Dasari The INC national leadership under Sonia passed away in 2017 after becoming politically Gandhi (Sonia) declined to elevate Jagan as the invisible and silent after the end of the INC’s AP CM. Although Reddy’s in Coastal Andhra UPA coalition regime. and Rayalaseema were consolidating under the Chiranjeevi’s political entry was understood YSRCP, the INC waited and never openly from many dimensions. One dominant distanced Reddy’s. Nevertheless, Reddy’s dimension was that whoever is popular among increasingly left the INC and re-consolidated the Kapus should also acquire the same under the YSRCP, after witnessing a mass popularity even in the political realm. Since electoral shift from the INC into the new YSRCP, in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema Dasari received popularity among Kapus, the regions. However, the Reddy’s in Telangana INC co-opted him. However, by launching the stood under the INC as a significant chunk then. PRP, Chiranjeevi aspired for more substantial popularity in politics, apart from his proven After YSR death, the INC prospects in popularity in Tollywood. Instead of joining any Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema blinked considerably.6 The INC leadership failed to pre-existing parties, Chiranjeevi launched the pacify Jagan. As a result, Jagan resigned to the PRP but failed to capture the AP CM position. INC, as he was not offered the AP CM position. Ultimately, he chose to get inducted into the Later, Jagan launched the YSRCP in the year INC fold. Thus, in a way, Chiranjeevi was 2011. During the years 2009-2014, the INC unable to achieve a wider political role than in AP witnessed a drastic vote share decline. A Dasari. When the INC co-opted Chiranjeevi, new wave of political churning and sub-regional it distanced Dasari from the Union Council of forces emerged; the YSRCP in Coastal Andhra Ministry during the second term of UPA, 2009- and Rayalaseema regions and the TRS in the 2014. Telangana region. The then existing opposition After the PRP merge, the INC elevated forces like; the TDP, CPI and CPI (Marxist) Chiranjeevi into national politics; but not made declined much.  160 BHAVAVEENA Vol. 18, Issue. 3, March 2021 UGC CARE List Group - 1 Journal ISSN No. : 2456-4702 - RNI No. APTEL/2003/12253 under Arts and Humanities Category Before 2014 elections to the AP LA and Reddy under the TDP and YSRCP, LS constituencies, the INC was routed in respectively. These parties succeeded to Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema. The YSRCP continue party leadership and CM positions captured the INC place in these regions. As a under Kamma and Reddy castes. The TDP result, Sonia felt to retain the INC base, at- occupied the AP CM position for the duration least in the Telangana region, by forming of 2014-2019 under the leadership of Naidu. separate TS. In other words, Sonia lost hopes Moreover, the YSRCP is electorally on the INC prospectus in the Coastal Andhra successfully by capturing the AP CM position and Rayalaseema regions. Sonia believed that from 2019 under the prime leadership of Jagan. the TRS might merge with the INC after the As of now, Kapus failed to convince the formation of separate TS. Even KCR too hinted mainstream society towards their lead in such a manner. As a result, after the TRS possible merger, Sonia believed that the INC leadership necessity under any one party and could form the next government in the new TS. capture the AP CM position. Both the BJP and However, after the formation of TS in 2014, INC tried to co-opt Kapus minimally, if not KCR declined to merge the TRS. Finally, the maximally. Time has to testify whether the INC lost the election in new TS and TRS under Kapus will own the BJP or INC at the AP level KCR emerged victoriously. During 2014 and capture the CM position or experiment with elections, Chiranjeevi, as a political force got new parties like the PRP. Until now, Kapu vanished entirely. He failed to maintain proper politicians could not out-beat the Kamma and relations with the INC. As the INC political Reddy domination and ascend the AP CM prospects blinked entirely in Coastal Andhra position. Exclusive Kapus prime leadership led and Rayalaseema; Kapus had no hope on either parties, like the PRP, extended support to the the INC or Chiranjeevi. During this time, mainstream parties like the INC and remained Chiranjeevi’s younger brother Pawan Kalyan small individual-centric ones. Mass popularity developed separate political aspiration and in society or in any caste, i.e., Kapu, in this launched a new party, i.e., Jana Sena (JS).7 (E case, cannot guarantee automatic political 2017) (Gupta P., 2014) success for direct capture of the CM position. Conclusion : That is the conclusion visible from the In AP, even after the INC’s disappearance observation and analysis of two cases of; from 2014 election onwards, two castes Chiranjeevi and Dasari under the PRP and INC continued prime domination, i.e., Kamma and platforms in this paper.  

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Acknowledgements, Citations and End Notes for the article titled

‘Pawan Kalyan’s Political Journey: An Incoherent and Uncertain Path’

Acknowledgements: The writer is gracious to acknowledge peer review by; Dr Ganesh Digal, Dr Ravi Sankar K, Nimmagadda Ramakrishna Bhargav, VVS Narayana Muppidi, Emmanuel Babu K and Kathi Mahesh. However, the writer is solely responsible for the overall draft composition.

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End Notes: Tollywood refers to the Telugu film sector. 2 The brackets' connotations were the prime charges and allegations made by the then opposition parties against Naidu's TDP governance. Primarily, the AP INC leaders like late YSR and P Janardhana Reddy were at the forefront of hurdling such criticism against Naidu's CM regime in AP. 3 In the subsequent duration, Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna entered the political realm from 2008-09 election times onwards. Moreover, Balakrishna happens to be NTR's son and brother-in-law to Naidu. During the August 1995 political coup, Balakrishna sided with Naidu. Later Balakrishna entered politics on behalf of Naidu's led TDP. After political entry, Balakrishna aspired to become the AP CM; but he gave up such a wish and declared unconditional support to Naidu's CM candidature. Balakrishna gave-up such a wish after Naidu's bloc of leaders objected to his projection to become AP CM. 4 B-Forms refer to the official document handed over by the recognised political parties to the contesting candidates, authorising them as their formal contestants. 5 The writer took into consideration two popular interviews given by Dasari to two popular Telugu television news channels. They include the first one to the 'ABN-Andhra Jyothi' channel; in theOpen Heart with RK' programme. The next interview was given to Sakshi television, to a programme titled 'Manasulo Maata'. Senior-most political journalists conducted both these two interviews. 6 The united AP consisted of three distinct geographical areas, Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana. 7 Focus on the JS political journey is not under the scope of the present paper.

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