BJP woos Padmashalis as community alleges political, economic neglect

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi going for a big push in the southern states, the BJP has pulled out all stops with an aim to emerge victorious on at least 10 seats in Telangana.

The party is banking on ‘Brand Modi’ and the consecration of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya to woo the electorate. It is also eyeing support from the Padmashali community, one of the five BC communities that are demographically important in Telangana.

Feeling of neglect

The Padmashalis, traditionally a weaving community, feel that they are economically and politically backward as compared to the remaining four BC communities – Gauds, Yadavas, Mudirajas and Munnurukas. They largely feel that the Congress and the BRS lend priority to the other communities and look down on them.

Tapping into this sentiment, BJP leaders are now clamouring for the support of Padmashalis. The party also fielded some candidates from the community in the 2023 Assembly elections.

BJP leaders are making a slew of promises to the community, including the development of the Maharishi Markandeya Temple in Pochampalli, celebrating the Brahmotsavam event every year. The party is keen to cash in on cultural issues to lure the Padmashali community.

Tirumala to Ayodhya

Party leaders are reminding them that Padmavati, wife of Lord Venkateswara Swamy of Tirumala, also belonged to the Padmashali community, per legend. It is also said that Lord Rama is the incarnation of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. The party leaders are using these sentiments to appeal the community to stand in support of their party, which has built a temple for Lord Rama in Ayodhya.

Kapardhapu Murali, state president of Telangana Region Padmashali Sangam, told The Federal Telangana admitted that the BJP is trying to garner the support of their community. He said that their votes are mostly concentrated in Bhuvanagiri, Nizamabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Malkazgiri, Nalgonda, Nagar Kurnool, Medak, Adilabad and Khammam districts.

Political parties tend to give priority to Gauds, Yadavas, Mudirajus and Munnurukas among BC communities. The Padmashalis are indeed backward compared to the other four social groups in terms of economic parameters and political standing, he added.

Murali revealed that his community is mostly inclined towards the Congress in these elections, as the Revanth Reddy government is willing to settle the dues of handloom weavers belonging to the community. At the same time, some members of the community are also leaning towards the BJP for various reasons.

This article was originally published in The Federal Telangana.