Pawan Kalyan: who will he Sail with?

Pawan Kalyan did not make any negative references to the YSRCP except for remarks that he ‘did not make any big money or own any newspapers like other politicians’. This was seen as an obvious reference to YS Jaganmohan Reddy. If Pawan has anything in common with Jagan today, it is only his anti-Congress stand. As a result, Jagan’s camp is also hopeful of enlisting Pawan’s support in due course. By distancing itself from Pawan, YSRCP will have no specific advantage. Instead, it will be losing the support of the youth with which Jagan has been identified.

The support of Kapus that comes with an electoral understanding with Pawan, will strengthen its base further in East and West Godavari districts. The YSRCP leaders had exercised utmost caution in their reaction to the launch of Jana Sena. They wanted the party to spell out its stand on the various problems of the state. Pawan was highly critical of YS baiters, especially those who switched loyalties after his death.

Backing JSP last option

Though Pawan Kalyan tried to identify himself with Telangana also by calling it ‘Naa Telangana’ and ‘Poru Telangana’, he did not rule out the option of supporting Kiran Kumar Reddy’s Jai Samaikyandhra Party (JSP). But it could be his last option as Kiran is yet to make any major headway in his endeavour to establish his outfit as an alternative to the Congress.

Though Pawan Kalyan has not yet spelled out his manifesto and poll strategies, his anti-Congress stand has given enough hope to the principal opposition parties in the state, particularly the Telugu Desam Party, which has been making all efforts to make a comeback in the 2014 polls.

The Telugu Desam leadership has reportedly been in touch with Pawan Kalyan and Naidu’s emissaries have been making efforts to lure him into the party. Pawan is understood to have decided to extend support only as a political party.

If he is going to try out his luck in electoral politics by fielding candidates only in a certain number of seats this time, it will be a win-win situation for him as well as the TDP. As a successful film star, Pawan has been enjoying the following of youth brigades all over the state.

The support of the youth will certainly put the Telugu Desam in advantage. The TDP can count on his support not only as an ally but also as a powerful campaigner. He can be a potential crowd-puller adding to the attraction of the star campaign being spearheaded jointly by Balaiah and Junior NT Rama Rao.

The TDP has its focus on the vote bank of the Kapu community this time. While the Congress is trying to address the discontent in the community by projecting leaders such as Chiranjeevi, the TDP hopes to brighten its electoral prospects by bringing Pawan Kalyan on a common platform by forging an alliance with him. The possibility of Pawan sailing with the TDP and BJP seems to have strengthened as he has been in touch with BJP leaders.