The Andhra Pradesh Dalit Mahasabha, which led many struggles, including the one against Karamchedu and Tsunduru massacres, to assert the rights of the Dalits, on Saturday announced formation of a political party ahead of the 2019 general elections with the aim of achieving political power for the SCs, STs, BCs, and minorities.
Its founding general secretary Katti Padma Rao told the media that they were in talks with the the CPI and the CPI(M) for an electoral understanding.
“We are not averse to a tie-up with the YSR Congress, provided its president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy accepts our demand for total prohibition and distribution of land to the landless poor on saturation basis,” he said.
The party, christened ‘Navya Andhra Party’, would go for registration before the Election Commission next month, he said.
He announced formation of Widows’ Rehabilitation Association to take care of those who lost their bread-winners to the liquor menace.
Ilaiah issue
Coming to the defence of Dalit ideologue Kancha Ilaiah, whose book landed him in trouble, Mr. Rao said: “Without demanding a ban on the book, members of the trading community can come out with a book to articulate their views on various issues,” he said.