Says renowned Dalit poet and professor in Telugu University in Rajahmundry, Prof Yendluri Sudhakar: “In many parts of the state, even in small restaurants, there is a ‘two-tumbler’ system, one for Dalits and the other for non-Dalits. Even if I go in jeans and an expensive shirt, I will be denied a steel plate and made to eat from paper if they find out I’m a Dalit. It has happened to me.”

Such practices continue, says Sudhakar, because no single party has established itself for the Dalit cause. This, in part, is due to fragmentation within the community. “There are 59 Dalit sub-castes, with Malars at the top. They are opposed to granting any gradation between Dalits for reservation purposes, which sub-groups like the Madigas are demanding,” says Sudhakar.

While Mayawati’s BSP would be expected to thrive in conditions like this, the party has failed to tap into the community’s sentiments here despite contesting all 42 LS seats. As Mayawati is opposed to any sub-classification among Dalits for jobs, she is largely unable to become the focal point.

Until now, the Congress’s broad coalition of the Reddys, a section of the forwards, Dalits and minorities is holding, as is the TDP’s mix of Kammas, a few forwards and backward classes.

But what will make this election crucial is how Chiranjeevi will perform. If he is able to make some headway by walking off with Kapu votes and helping bring this disaggregated caste group together as a coherent and politically influential force, it could lead to a major realignment in how the other two big players position themselves.

... contd.