Jana Sena Party chief and power star Pawan Kalyan appears to have decided to send a message loud and clear that he is not a joker in the pack, but is going to be a kingmaker after the next assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.
Pawan, who has hitherto been facing the charge of being a “dattaputrudu” (adopted son) of Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has given a clear indication that without Jana Sena, the TDP cannot come to power.
The Jana Sena chief reminded that in 2014, the TDP could come to power in Andhra Pradesh only because of the alliance with his party and the BJP. “In 2019, because of lack of a strong alliance under certain situations, Jagan Mohan Reddy could come to power,” he reminded.
He declared that he would take up the responsibility of defeating Jagan Mohan Reddy in the next assembly elections by bringing all anti-Jagan forces together.
“Leave the strategy to me. I am confident of pulling down the YSRCP government from power,” he said.
At the same, Pawan said he was not interested in playing second fiddle to any political party, but his aim is to bring Jana Sena Party to power in 2024 itself.
By making these comments, the Jana Sena chief wants to send a message to the BJP that he was not interested in waiting till 2029 when the saffron party wants to project him as the chief ministerial candidate.
At the same time, he has also sent a message to the TDP that an alliance with Jana Sena is a must to defeat Jagan and that he wants a due share in power.
If necessary, he might even pitch for declaring him as the CM candidate.
Now, the ball is in Naidu’s court. It doesn’t make much difference for Pawan if the BJP doesn’t agree for an alliance with the TDP.
But he wants to do a hard bargain with Naidu, since the TDP is also a front runner for power.
What kind of deal Pawan is looking at with the TDP and whether Naidu will agree for the same is something that needs to be watched.
