Hyderabad: In a development which can alter the political equations in both the Telugu states in south India, film star Pawan Kalyan Tuesday announced that his Jana Sena party will contest the next elections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
It can pose a new challenge specially to the ruling alliance of Telugu Desam and the Bharatiya Janata Party in Andhra Pradesh for whom Kalyan had campaigned aggressively and extensively in 2014 polls.
Talking to the media in Hyderabad on the occasion of the third anniversary of his party, Kalyan said Jana Sena party has identified 32 issues on which it will approach the people. Kalyan, known as rebel star of Telugu films, also launched the party’s website and said that it will help in creating awareness about the party.
Kalyan announced the party would start building the organisational structure from next month and preference will be given to youngsters. “We will think of alliances only after building our organisation”, he said.
On the possibility of his becoming part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Kalyan only said, “now I am not in NDA”.
Regarding possibility of Jana Sena entering into an alliance with any other party, Kalyan said all other parties were strengthened over a period of time and Jana Sena was not a full-fledged political party. By March next year it will be developed into a full-fledged functional political party. “I can’t say now what will be the political situation in 2019. We will take a decision depending upon the situation at the time.”
He said the youth will get 60 per cent share in the party as it would channelise their energy and creative thinking.
He said he would be contesting 2019 assembly elections from Anantapur district. “Coming to power is not the goal. We want to work for the people and strive to solve their problems”, he said.
Commenting on the recent elections, Kalyan said that Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh lost the elections because of the family feud. “Akhilesh Yadav’s consultant Steve Jarding once spoke to me on UP elections and wondered how SP will win the election after the infighting of the family had left the party thoroughly shaken. And now it has come true”.
On the outcome in other states he said anti-incumbency and people’s disenchantment with the ruling parties was the major reason for their defeat.
He described the defeat of Manipur activist Irom Sharmila as very sad. “She should have received more support”, he added.
When asked whether he will admit senior leaders of other parties, he said the decision will be taken carefully and on the basis of merit.
“Praja Rajyam Party [of Kalyan’s elder brother Chiranjeevi] had suffered badly due to this issue,” he said. On another question he said that Chiranjeevi was not thinking of joining Jana Sena.