Actor and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan has decided to contest from the Bhimavaram and the Gajuwaka Assembly constituencies pursuing an old formula which has already been implemented by several of his predecessors from the film industry.

TDP founder president NT Rama Rao or Praja Rajyam Party (Now, merged with the Congress) founder K Chiranjeevi or Jayalalithaa of AIADMK in Tamil Nadu are some of the leaders who decided to contest from two seats.

Even NTR faced defeat in one of the two seats (Kalwakurthy Assembly constituency), he contested in 1989 and Jayalalithaa lost the election from the only seat she contested from in 1996 - the Bargur Assembly constituency. Chiranjeevi, as well lost from Palacole in his native West Godavari district in coastal Andhra in 2009 which was his political debut.

Following his defeat, Chiranjeevi did not contest elections.

All these leaders might have had multiple reasons behind their plans to contest from more than one constituency. The humiliation of defeat, if contested from one seat is a factor which is likely considered by these leaders. The probability of winning from only one seat may not be considered safe, hence contesting from two constituencies is taken as a backup plan.

Also, if fortunate, they may even bag both the seats making it a boost for their image that they can win from any seat.

Following this trend, several senior leaders have contested from two constituencies in the Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections over the years. There were leaders who contested in three constituencies as well. However, an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 was passed in 1996 restricting the leaders to contest only from two seats.

Also Read: Winning Bhimavaram For Pawan Kalyan A Distant Dream