As the electioneering for by-election to Tirupati parliamentary seat to be held on April 17 is nearing climax, Bharatiya Janata Party national president J P Nadda is going to address a public rally at Nayudupeta in Nellore district, which is part of the Tirupati parliamentary constituency.
However, Jana Sena Party chief and power star Pawan Kalyan will be conspicuous in his absence at the Nadda’s public meeting despite the fact that Jana Sena is a political ally of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh.
Pawan has already announced that he has been under self-quarantine as many of his security personnel have tested positive for Covid-19 and hence, he won’t be available for any public appearances. But his announcement a day before Nadda’s meeting gives rise to a lot of speculations.
Sources say Pawan has made this statement deliberately to avoid campaigning for the BJP, since he was upset with the saffron party denying the seat to the Jana Sena.
Though he took part in one-day campaign for BJP candidate K Ratna Prabha in Tirupati, it was just half-hearted show, say the sources.
The BJP leaders are heavily banking on Pawan Kalyan and his party’s support in Tirupati. They even tried to give huge publicity to his recently released film Vakeel Saab and hoped that the film would fetch the BJP some mileage.
“Since the film has generated a lot of euphoria among the youth, it would have been a big plus for the BJP candidate, if Pawan makes a public appearance and calls upon the voters to vote for Ratna Prabha,” a BJP leader said.
However, Pawan has been trying to avoid them.
“His absence in the campaign will help the Telugu Desam Party to some extent. He must be definitely aware of this. Yet, he has decided not to address any meetings. Nobody knows what is there in his mind,” the BJP leader said.
