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Behind The Scene: Why did Pawan surrender to BJP on Tirupati?

Behind The Scene: Why did Pawan surrender to BJP on Tirupati?

The decision of power star and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan to meekly surrender to his alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party and drop out from the contest in the by-elections to Tirupati Lok Sabha seat came as a big surprise to the political pundits.

Looking at any angle, the Jana Sena is definitely in a better position than the BJP in Tirupati, which could not get even 1.2 per cent vote share in the 2019 general elections, which is lesser than the votes polled under NOTA. Jana Sena did not contest the seat then but left it to the Bahujan Samaj Party.

So, why did Pawan give up the seat in favour of the BJP in the present by-elections, after making intense lobbying in New Delhi with the BJP top leadership for the Tirupati seat?

According to sources, the BJP leadership, in fact, accepted Pawan’s request for Tirupati seat. However, BJP national president J P Nadda and Union home minister Amit Shah gave three months’ time to Pawan to identify a suitable candidate who can put up a tough fight against ruling YSR Congress party and opposition Telugu Desam Party and win the seat.

Shockingly, Pawan could not find even a single candidate who has the popularity locally and also money power to win the Tirupati seat, withstanding the power of YSRC and TDP. 

A few industrialists and prominent leaders from Tirupati reportedly approached Pawan Kalyan requesting him to give them a chance, but the Jana Sena chief reportedly asked them how much money they could spend in the elections and how much they could offer to the party.

This has disappointed the aspirants and they quietly backed out. Apparently, they thought it would be better to approach the BJP for a ticket, since the party will not only spend big money but also take up aggressive campaign.

Thus, Pawan has reportedly wasted a golden chance given by the BJP in the selection of candidates and after the completion of three months’ deadline, the BJP itself decided to field its candidate. 

Since the party has already shortlisted the contestants, it can pick up the best among them to field, say sources.

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Tags: Pawan Kalyan Jana Sena