Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan is reportedly losing support both among the public and within his own party, Jana Sena.
Party members are increasingly frustrated, feeling betrayed after supporting him through difficult times.
They believe Pawan has focused more on personal benefits after coming to power, especially by giving important posts to close associates and family members, like his brother Nagababu, who became an MLC.
Many grassroots workers say they have been ignored and feel disrespected by the party’s ally, TDP, with no support from Pawan. Attempts to raise these issues through Minister Nadendla Manohar have not brought any change.
Pawan’s call to celebrate the June 4 election results with major festivities failed to gain traction, as most party workers did not participate. This highlights growing dissatisfaction and disconnect between the leadership and the base.
Jana Sena workers now feel that only top leaders have gained from the power shift. If Pawan Kalyan does not address this internal unrest and show appreciation to his supporters, it could lead to serious consequences in future elections.
Leadership, ultimately, is tested over time. Balineni Srinivas Reddy is in his party, but he was not given any prominence nor was he treated with importance.
Konathala Ramakrishna, who has goodwill among people as well as political counterparts, was also not honored properly with any misntry.
Generally, when ministries are given, there should be social balance, and the party cadre expects that. When there are three ministries, each caste should be given one.
But in Jana Sena, one is given to Kamma and the rest to Kapus only. Kamma is Nadendla Manohar, and Kapus are Pawan Kalyan and Kandula Durgesh.
Had Konathala been given a ministry, there could have been social balance, as he is a BC. Rather, Konathala worked as a minister in YSRCP’s cabinet earlier but got nothing in Jana Sena.
Pawan Kalyan also failed to get a ministry for his brother Nagababu. He had to struggle a lot at least to give him an MLC seat.
On the whole, Pawan's leadership in the party is very poor, and his own Jana Sena workers are not happy. They feel Pawan Kalyan has become a puppet in TDP’s hands and is unable to do much, even though the party has 21 MLA seats.
In a recent survey, it was said that 17 out of 21 Jana Sena MLAs are facing severe anti-incumbency, which is a result of TDP’s coldness towards Jana Sena.
If anyone asks, "What's up" with Pawan Kalyan’s one year of leadership, the answer is nothing is 'up' and everything is 'down'.
