Velama rajyam in the offing?

 

Historically, being brave emperors and soldiers, Velama community is once again showing its political mighty in the AP. In the British and Nizam rule Velamas are the rulers of respective kingdoms in the Telugu land. After formation of Republic of India IN 1947, their assets and power has been taken over by the respective governments. Even, Kamma, Reddy and Raju communities have successfully diversified by investing in industries and education in  large scale after the independence; hence 90% of business and industries are in the hands of these three communities. Being wealthy people, Velamas are failed miserably in diversifying and they restricted themselves to their own world. Later some of their successors have become MLAs ,MPs and Industrialists but they failed to contribute significantly to the economic growth in the state. In the AP history, only Velama CM is Jalagam Vengala Rao in year 1972 hails from Khammam. Subsequently, with the changing political equations their power is limited to few ministerial positions and posts. 
However, last decade is belongs to Velamas irrespective of regions as state has saw two powerful and tactful politicians from Velama community i.e. KCR from Karim Nagar and KVP from Krishna. Despite of insignificant population (mere 1%) in the entire state both of them hold significant political power, in fact they can influence and can change political equations in the state considerably. Of course, with their actions and moves they become stumble blocks for state as every scandal and agitations revolving around them. Being publicized as CM candidates, both leaders are moving closer to Sonia Gandhi in the recent days. Moreover, they are busy in evading their possible closet political rivals like Babu and Jagan.  It remains to see how other powerful communities in the state will restrict them to get closer to power.