The by-election to the Pulivendula ZPTC seat, though insignificant, has kicked up a political storm in Andhra Pradesh, as the Telugu Desam Party bagged the seat by breaching the unbreachable fortress of the YSR family.
Naturally, the TDP is rejoicing over the victory, having achieved its goal of defeating Jagan Mohan Reddy in his home turf.
But an interesting aspect of the whole political battle in Pulivendula is the unusual silence of Jana Sena Party chief and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan.
All through the electioneering and after polling, Pawan Kalyan remained silent, though his party leader and minister Kandula Durgesh issued a statement hailing the TDP victory.
The other alliance partner – Bharatiya Janata Party, too, did not make any statement on the victory of the TDP, though BJP MLA C Adinarayana Reddy actively took part in the campaign in support of TDP candidate Mareddy Latha Reddy in Pulivendula.
Though Adinarayana Reddy has campaigned in his personal capacity due to rivalry with Jagan’s family, one can say the BJP has indirectly supported the TDP in the Pulivendula ZPTC by-poll.
But Jana Sena leaders were inactive, and it appears the party viewed this as purely a TDP contest and since it is a case of personal rivalry between Naidu and Jagan, Pawan Kalyan preferred to stay away from the scene.
However, sources say Pawan Kalyan was not happy with the way the polling was held on Tuesday and he did not endorse the manner in which the TDP indulged in rigging in some places. Maybe, that is the reason for Pawan Kalyan’s silence.
Sources said the BJP national leadership enquired about the incidents on the day polling in Pulivendula. But the TDP leadership reportedly explained to them how it was necessary to penetrate into Jagan’s bastion, where polling was never held in the past 30 years.
