Kapu agitation: Cong slams Chandrababu govt

New Delhi: Congress on Monday came down hard on the Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh and BJP in the wake of the Kapu community's agitation seeking reservation under Backward Class category, saying these incidents were symptomatic of complete lack of governance.

Congress is concerned, worried, troubled and saddened by the humongous disruptions and significant damage to life and property in different forms in the so-called Kapu agitation in Andhra Pradesh, party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said. He said the incidents were symptomatic of complete lack of governance as is the case in several states ruled by BJP and its allies. If there was an index of negative governance, we would have marked it on negative index but certainly instead of zero tolerance on so-many vices, here you are having zero governance. There is no grip of the administration or of the state government, he said. Alleging that the government has become Andhra Pradesh INC (pro-industrialist) - Andhra Pradesh Government Incorporated, he claimed it was interested only in finding, locating, buying and selling prime land.

That has become the principal focus of this government, he added. He said the Kapus are angry as the government had raised false expectations. Naidu had promised reservation in education and jobs for the Kapu community as part of his campaign. The manifesto of BJP also promises reservation.

At least 15 policemen, including a senior district police officer, were injured on Sunday when the stir by Kapu community members seeking reservation under Backward Class category turned violent as the agitators went on rampage, set four coaches of Ratnachal Express on fire at Tuni station and blocked the National Highway-16 in East Godavari district.

PTI