Vijayawada, October 13: The Social Democratic Front (SDF) was formed at a state-level round-table conference held in Vijayawada today, with the objective of ensuring proportionate political representation for Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Muslims, Christians and other marginalised communities.
The meeting resolved to field common candidates against the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and their allies in the forthcoming elections to Gram Panchayats, Mandal Parishads, Zilla Parishads, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations.
The meeting was presided over by Veeravalli Srinivas. Paramjyothi delivered the opening remarks and formally announced the formation of the Social Democratic Front.
Dr. J. Purnachandra Rao, IPS (Retd.), former Director General of Police and National Coordinator of the All India Bahujan Samaj Party (AIBSP), was unanimously elected Chairman of the Social Democratic Front.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Purnachandra Rao stated that political power in Andhra Pradesh remained concentrated among a few socially dominant communities. Although BCs constitute approximately half the state’s population, only about 40 of the 175 MLAs elected in 2024 belonged to BC communities, he pointed out.
He criticised both TDP and YSRCP for failing to ensure proportionate political representation and questioned the non-implementation of the promised 34% BC reservations in local bodies.
He demanded political representation proportionate to population, including in unreserved constituencies. He also highlighted SC status for Dalit Christians, political representation for Muslims, Adivasi land and forest rights, rehabilitation of Polavaram-displaced families and protection of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
Chanda Lingaiah Goud called upon BCs, SCs, STs, Muslims and Christians to unite and end the political dominance of the two major parties.
Professor Paul stated that extensive tours across Andhra Pradesh revealed public aspirations for an alternative political formation, drawing parallels with emerging political developments in Tamil Nadu.
Former MLA Lakke Raja Rao appealed for unity among Bahujan political organisations and collective political action.
Leaders Who Joined the Front
The following leaders joined the Social Democratic Front:
1.Vijay Kumar, IAS (Retd.) – Liberation Congress Party.
2.Dr. Uppalapati Devi Prasad, IRS (Retd.) – RPI Bhimrao Ambedkar Party.
3.Pitta Varaprasad – RPI Ambedkar Party.
4.Kadiyam Suribabu – Nationalist Janasakthi Party.
5.Vidyasagar – State President, VCK Party.
6.Sk. Abdul Basheer – Indian Muslim League.
7.Silam Venkateswarlu – Jatiya Chenetha Vruthula Party.
Achary, President of the Sarpanchula Sangham; Uka Sambasiva Rao, Angadala Purnachandra Rao and Daniel, along with retired Revenue and Police officials and leaders of several Bahujan organisations, also joined the Front.
The conference resolved to establish coordination committees across the state, field common candidates in local body elections and ensure adequate representation for women, youth and historically unrepresented communities.
The Front declared constitutional democracy, social justice, equality and political representation proportionate to population as its guiding principles.
