Denial of reservation to the backward class migrants from Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts to Hyderabad and other areas of Telangana, after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, appears to have assumed political significance as the State is headed for Assembly elections in a few weeks, on November 30.
An estimated 10 lakh people, including many BCs, shifted to Telangana areas from the North Andhra region in the last four decades. Post the split, the BRS (formerly TRS) government led by K. Chandrashekar Rao removed 26 castes such as Turpu Kapu, Kalinga, Koppulavelama, and Sistakaranam from the backward classes list, depriving the communities of reservation in government jobs and seats in educational institutions. The move was purportedly aimed at benefiting locals of the Telangana region.
