Caste exerts significant influence in Indian electoral politics, permeating every aspect of the democratic process. It profoundly shapes voting patterns, with voters often aligning with candidates from their own caste or those perceived as representing their caste’s interests.
Furthermore, political parties meticulously consider caste equations when selecting candidates, aiming to secure a diverse and representative panel to appeal to various caste groups. In Telangana, Backward Castes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minorities constitute over 85 percent of the population. This percentage may have slightly increased due to the growth of Other Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes between the 1931 census and the recent caste survey.
