EC nod to Pawan's Jana Sena Party

Hyderabad: The Election Commission of India has registered Telugu actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena as a political party.

The poll panel registered the party with effect from Nov 24, 2014 under the section 29A of the Representation of People Act, 1951, the party said.

Pawan, a popular actor and brother of actor-turned politician Chiranjeevi, had announced formation of the party before the April-May elections this year. He, however, did not field any candidate but backed Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine in both Andhra Pradesh and newly created Telangana state.

The 43-year-old had campaigned for the alliance's candidates in both the states.

Now with the registration of the party, he is expected to announce the executive committees and prepare for the local body elections in both the states.

In July, the actor had warned imposters against misusing his name to collect money for building new capital of Andhra Pradesh.

"Once the Election Commission recognizes, Jana Sena Party as a political entity, I'll break my silence to the media and explain the party's future plan of action," he had said in his statement.

Pawan was heading Yuva Rajyam, the youth wing of Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), floated by his elder brother Chiranjeevi before 2009 elections. After PRP's disappointing performance in the polls, Chiranjeevi merged PRP with Congress.

Unhappy with the elder brother's move, Pawan floated Jana Sena in March this year. Criticising the Congress for dividing Andhra Pradesh, he gave a call for 'Congress hatao desh bachao' (Remove the Congress, save the nation).