Khammam— a Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana was swept by the Congress during 2023 Assembly elections as the grand old party of India registered victory in all seven seats that fall under this constituency with the help of its ally CPI.
Although Kammas are scattered all across the state, it is primarily concentrated in places that come under Khammam Lok Sabha constituency. After bifurcation of the state from the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, this is known to be the lone seat of power for Kammas in Telangana.
The communities’ inclination towards the seat has been raked up recently after the Telangana Kamma Kula Samajam sent an open letter to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stating their grievances.
Besides inquiring about Reddy’s take on the samaj’s influence on economic and social matters of Telangana, the letter addressed the most pertinent question of the samaj that whether or not Kammas have the right over at least one parliamentary seat.
The concern has stemmed from the Congress appointing Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy as its candidate from the Lok Sabha instead of a Kamma face.
At one point of time, speculations were rife that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi might contest from Khammam. However, with the declaration of Ramasahayam’s name, such rumours have come to an end.
May it be Andhra Pradesh or Telangana— the rivalry between Reddy and Kammas is not new in the electoral landscape of the country. And the manner in which the Kamma Samaj, categorically, pointed out in the letter that a ‘disproportionate’ number of parliamentary seats have been allocated to the Reddy and none to Kammas has brought in ignited the caste-based tussle.
While their concern resonates with the demand of the entire samaj, there is space for the Congress to be concerned too.
It was found that people from the Kamma community across Telangana voted in favour of the Congress which enabled Reventh Reddy to become the chief minister of the state.
Sources claim that the Kamma community is of the view that the candidature for the Khammam Lok Sabha seat was solely based on caste preference rather than merit, which demeans the Congress candidate nominated from the seat.
The perceived notion of the Khammas is that the Reddy’s are trying to impose their caste on them. The letter, thus, has come as a threat for the Congress as they have sought a reply from the party leadership for what they term as ‘partiality’. Failing which the community will pull back its support from the Congress.
The warning has come as a surprise for the Congress as the Kamma samaj has shown their loyalty to the Congress. And if they decide to vote against the party then the grand old party will miss out on its considerable vote bank.
Amid the letter controversy, the opponents have got a chance to woo the Kamma samaj, leading to a high-octane battle in Khammam.
The Bharat Rashtra Samiti has fielded MP Nama Nageswara Rao, who hails from the Kamma samaj and the Bharatiya Janata Party has nominated T Vinod Rao.
Rao has been a sitting MP from the seat and the rivalry between Reddys and Kammas is making ways for him to woo the community and win the Lok Sabha seat.
Although one has to wait till June 4 to see the result, the caste tussle will only make matters worse for the Congress in the upcoming elections. Khammam Lok Sabha constituency will go to polls on May 13.
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