Social Democratic Front formed with Ex-DGP elected as Chairman

Metro India News | VIJAYAWADA : The Social Democratic Front (SDF) was formed at a state-level round-table conference held in Vijayawada on Monday, 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 Front. Dr. J. Purnachandra Rao, 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. The Front declared constitutional democracy, social justice, equality and political representation proportionate to population as its guiding principles.

Dr. Purnachandra Rao stated that 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.

 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 Tamil Nadu. Former MLA Lakke Raja Rao appealed for unity among Bahujan political organisations and collective political action. Achary, President of the Sarpanchula Sangham; along with retired Revenue and Police officials and leaders of several Bahujan organisations, also joined the Front.