Backward Caste voters who account for a very massive electoral strength in Andhra Pradesh have long been the main backers of TDP. The moment they left TDP in Telangana, the party crumbled because they formed the backbone and were instrumental in the yellow party winning elections on many occasions.
BRS aggressively wooed BC leaders and cadres who left the party en masse. Now the same seems to be happening with Andhra TDP as well. This is why YSRCP is confident of its numbers even in the next elections. CM Jagan is giving very high priority to them.
In the upcoming MLC elections, a good number of seats are being allocated to them and this is causing a lot of heartburn in the yellow party. The party has been trying to do some damage control but already according to analysts, the BCs are switching slowly to YSRCP and if this trend reaches a stage, it may hit TDP in a massive way.
The TDP has been a dominant political force in Andhra Pradesh for several decades, and it has always relied heavily on the support of Backward Caste voters. The party has implemented several schemes to benefit this section of society, and it has always tried to project itself as the champion of their rights. However, the YSRCP has been able to make significant inroads into this vote bank by promising more extensive and targeted development schemes.
The YSRCP has also been able to capitalize on the disenchantment of Backward Caste voters with the TDP. Many of them feel that the party has failed to deliver on its promises, and they are looking for an alternative. The YSRCP, with its aggressive wooing of this vote bank, seems to be providing that alternative. If this approach succeeds it would be the end of TDP once and for all.
