IT Minister Nara Lokesh unveils the statue of poet saint Bhakta Kanakadasa at Kalyandurg in Anantapur on Saturday. | Photo credit: RVS PRASAD
IT Minister Nara Lokesh said that the state government is trying to empower the TDP-backed BC on all fronts. Mr. Lokesh on Saturday unveiled a nine-metre statue of poet saint Bhakta Kanakadasa at Kalyandurg in Anantapur district on the occasion of his 538th birth anniversary.
Addressing a rally on the occasion, Mr. Lokesh said that BCs are the backbone of TDP and the party has become synonymous with BCs. Mr. Lokesh said that it was the TDP government that laid the foundation of the Bhairavatippa project in the past and it would be completed by the TDP government itself.
“It is the TDP government that has brought an automobile plant to the drought-prone region and will bring more industries to the region,” he said, adding that the per capita income of Anantapur, which is ranked fifth, will rise to third place thanks to the boost to industry and horticulture. The Minister said that they have successfully discussed with the Center the issue of not renewing the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) of the Rural Development Trust (RDT).
Mr. Lokesh said that it was the TDP that empowered BC politically and made Kuraba community leaders MPs, village vice-chairmen and also market chairpersons. He said Kuraba community has been empowered by TDP politically and economically. They set up the Kuraba Corporation and spent ₹300 million on the community when they were in power from 2014-19. He said the government has given subsidy to Kurabas to buy sheep for subsidy and also to insure them.
He said that the Panchayat Raj department headed by K. Pawan Kalyan is constructing cow sheds and will work towards construction of cattle sheds. “In the next 12 months, we will also build community halls for the Kuraba community, provide honorarium to the priests of the Kuraba community and also temples for Berrappa Swamy,” he said.
Mr. Lokesh said BCs were subjected to persecution by the previous government, which created a revolt among the community and ensured a clear victory for the TDP. On the request of the community, we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhakta Kanakadasa as a state festival, he said.
Published – 8 Nov 2025 21:28 IST
