Out In The Cold, Chandrababu Could Use Jana Sena As A Prop In 2019 Polls

Kommineni Srinivasa Rao

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made some sensational comments regarding Jana Sena. His poser wondering what problem the YSR Congress Party had if the TDP went in for an alliance with Jana Sena is a clear indication of his political moves. Without having the courage to spell out his alliance strategy with Jana Sena, Chandrababu Naidu is attempting to create confusion in the ranks of the Opposition. On the one hand, we find Jana Sena leaders claiming that they would contest all the Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh and on the other, we see the TDP chief making these comments. It may be recalled that Pawan Kalyan had set up his Jana Sena as a political outfit at the time of the 2014 elections and supported the TDP along with the BJP. Importantly, it did not contest a single seat. At that point, the actor-turned-politician could influence voters to some extent. For some three odd years, Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan kalyan remained political friends and not once did the Jana Sena founder criticize him during this period. It was clear that Pawan Kalyan who said that he would stand by the farmers whose land was acquired for the new capital fell silent after he reached Hyderabad, perhaps on account of his backdoor talks with the TDP supremo. Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan kept mum right through the Kapu’s fight for reservation and even when Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham was humiliated, Pawan shockingly remained silent.

YSR Congress Party was the only political entity which stood by the Kapu community at that time. Pawan Kalyan never questioned Chandrababu Naidu on the issue of 23 turncoat MLAs who were bought over by the TDP nor did he ever comment on the Note for Vote case in which the AP chief minister was caught on tape. It must be said that all these factors added up did not enhance Pawan’s reputation in any way and on the contrary his image took a beating. Meanwhile, the Jana Sena chief made a sensational statement in Guntur at that time alleging that the Chandrababu government was riddled in corruption. It also made serious charges against IT Minister Nara Lokesh. For a moment, it appeared as if Pawan was taking on Telugu Desam party and its leadership. Shortly afterwards, he visited Amaravati for the opening ceremony of a temple. Interestingly, he met Chandrababu Naidu at the behest of Lingamaneni Ramesh was the buzz at that time. This led to speculation that the two of them were getting back together. However, Pawan’s constant carping at the TDP government won him back his support base. At the same time, TDP leaders started criticizing Pawan in the strongest of terms. They slammed him saying he lacked political awareness. Chandrababu went so far as to suggest that Pawan Kalyan, YS Jagan and Modi were a team as a political coalition. Now, with Chandrababu speaking favourably of Jana Sena, eyebrows are being raised once again in political circles. Secondly, what becomes clear is that Chandrababu Naidu can’t fight elections on his own and requires the support of a second party to beef up his base. It also shows that the TDP is on a weak footing currently which Chandrababu seems to reveal unknowingly.

The Jana Sena, however, denied that it would have any alliance. Anything can happen in politics. But if Pawan were to be led into Chandrababu Naidu’s trap again, his image would get tarnished for good. Chandrababu has nothing to lose. At the same time YS Jagan is evoking tremendous response from all segments of society in his ongoing mass outreach programme, Praja Sankalpa Yatra, which is in its last leg. Chandrababu Naidu received a massive drubbing in Telangana and now is attempting to forge an alliance with Congress and Jana Sena in Andhra Pradesh, it appears. He will try every trick in the trade to work out a strategy to this effect. The big question is how will Pawan Kalyan countenance Chandrababu Naidu’s ploys?

Also Read: KCR Exposes Chandrababu’s Cheap Politicking