Pawan’s pilgrimage politics

Pawan Kalyan is yet again in the news. He goes to Uddanam. He meets the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The meeting saw remarkable comradery and cordiality between the two leaders. At a time when political circles have been expecting a strident political action from the Jana Sena chief, the meet obviously triggers speculation over the political line that the actor-turned-politician would pursue in due course.

This time, unlike in the past, Pawan Kalyan was too mealy-mouthed in his replies on a range of questions concerning the State and politics. The plausible explanation could be that he was diplomatic. But, someone who wants to jump into the political cauldron cannot afford to be diplomatic. The other, perhaps, more critical interpretation could be that the steam is running out of an otherwise poignant politician.

His opponents even conclude that Pawan Kalyan, as always feared, may ultimately prove to be a trojan horse in Andhra Pradesh politics serving the purpose of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Although it is too early to come to such conclusions, the way Pawan reacted at Amaravati certainly gives credence to the skepticism and criticism against him.

The more significant aspect of his entire discourse is that Pawan remained non-committal on many vital issues. Such ambivalence is not only uncharacteristic of Pawan Kalyan, but unbecoming of an aspiring politician.

Still, Pawan’s intervention on the chronic problem of Uddanam nephropathy is appreciable. Considering that the problem had attracted international attention earlier, Pawan Kalyan’s initiative was significant. The government too was compelled to act. Pawan Kalyan is totally justified in thanking the Chief Minister for the government’s response thereafter.

But, his visit was not confined to Uddanam nephropathy. The meeting between the Chief Minister and Pawan Kalyan was ostensibly intended to focus on the problem, but politics did figure noticeably in their deliberations. The meet throws up an interesting political narrative.

Pawan Kalyan seems to be still not ready for active politics. He has confined himself to pilgrim politics wherein he suddenly descends on an issue and retreats to political oblivion only to resurface at a convenient time for him. One can understand his hectic schedule. But, one’s role in politics cannot be discharged in installments.

More interestingly, Pawan announced that he would devote more time to politics from October this year. His offer is in fact tangible. He would devote three-fourth of his time to politics. But, this muhurat cannot escape political scrutiny. Recently, the YSR Congress Leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy announced his plans to start his padayatra from October. The coincidence cannot be dismissed as accidental.

Pawan is fully aware of the political plans of the opposition leader. The opposition space would be crowded with the entry of Pawan into more active politics from October. The YSR Congress circles fear that the actor-politician’s plans are only to snatch the attention of people from the political odyssey of their leader.

Notwithstanding such criticism, Pawan, as a politician, certainly has a right to determine the finer details of his political action. But, the moot question is: what would be the nature of Pawan politics in the days to come?

Pawan Kalyan made a hue and cry at the peak of issue over Special Status. He had even promised to conduct a series of meetings. But, for reasons best known to him, his campaign on Special Status has almost come to a grinding halt. During his recent visit to Amaravati, he made a customary reference rather than emote indignation at the blatant denial of such a status to the beleaguered state of Andhra Pradesh. Pawan’s insipid remarks on Special Status give an impression that the Jana Sena chief has almost given up his crusade on an issue so emotionally close to the hearts of Seemandhra people.

If so, his retreat will inevitably be interpreted as an effort to ensure comfort for the TDP- BJP combine, for which he toiled a lot in 2014. He has articulated the plight of textiles under the GST regime. But, his belated reaction betrays lack of commitment.

Accepting that the issue is in the Centre’s court, Pawan says that he is not yet ready to take issues to the notice of central leadership. He failed to give any reasons for his intransigence to represent to Centre despite having personal access to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is technically part of NDA. A politician cannot suffer from such inhibitions at least on representing people’s issues. Such an attitude only speaks of Pawan’s vacation-style politics.

Although he did acknowledge that he was silent on issues like the social boycott inflicted on dalits of Garagaparru in West Godavari, the reasons he cited for such elective quietness are politically uncanny. His defence was that he does not like divisive politics and finds it irresponsible to do so.

This clearly shows that rather than choosing to stand in solidarity with the victims of brutal caste oppression perpetuated on dalits reflected in the form of inhuman social boycott, Pawan Kalyan wanted to play safe. He says he does not find fault with anyone and goes on to lecture on social trends. He doesn’t want to lose the support of the upper castes, but is fine with showing lip sympathy for dalits.

While dismissing it as a failure of local administration, he misses the point that this caste persecution is resulting from unequal land relations. Such politics of convenience would only bracket him in the unholy company of expedient politicians. One can understand such neither-here-nor-there brand of politics from an established politician who has some support base on both sides. But, a fledgling and ferocious politician should be forthright in condemning archaic social practices. Expressing esprit de corps towards the victims can never be construed as divisive politics.

Pawan Kalyan refuses to take a clear stand on a host of issues like aqua park, Kapu reservations, Mudragada padayatra, etc. He supports the demands of those apprehensive of losing livelihood due to aqua park and yet talks about the need to allow such a park provided procedures are followed. But, he refuses to spell out whether procedures were followed or not.

He deplores social boycott of dalits, but finds a reason for such a deviant behaviour from those on the higher level of caste hierarchy. He attributes it to the influence of statements by top leaders. Yet he chose not to name Amit Shah who described Gandhiji as chatur baniya.

While describing the demand of Kapus for reservations, he is not explicit in supporting the quota for them. Almost echoing the government line, he wants to reconcile the interests of Kapus with the concerns of OBCs. While stating that the permission for Mudragada padayatra must be given, he recalls the disorder created in the past, knowing well that it is often cited by the government to justify the denial of permission.

Unlike in the past, the absence of critical opprobrium on BJP or TDP, equivocal comments on several issues, display of political unsettledness, demonstration of unwillingness to shed pilgrim politics etc., raise more questions than answers on the upcoming political episode of the Power Star.
He was ambiguous even on his future political role. Claiming that he is still unable to judge his strength, Pawan keeps his cards close to his chest. It is not clear whether he will join the race for securing an independent space or settle down for a bargain.

The Damoclean sword of aborted Praja Rajyam experiment hangs over Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party. Political pundits, therefore, still do not consider Pawan to be a serious contender in politics. His handling of politics, parties and issues with kid gloves lends further credence to such an assessment.