Political Signals: Pawan Kalyan Seen Backing Nara Lokesh’s Future!
No one knows what Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s plan is when it comes to seating Nara Lokesh in the Chief Minister’s chair. However, political circles are abuzz with discussions that Jana Sena chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan appears to be clearing the line for Nara Lokesh in this matter. A series of recent developments are giving strength to this view. A few days ago, a programme was held in Amaravati to distribute appointment letters to police constables. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Home Minister Anita participated in this event. On the same day, Nara Lokesh attended the MoU programme for the Aero Defence City, which is to be jointly set up by GMR and the Mansas Trust in Visakhapatnam. However, during this meeting, Pawan Kalyan commented that even though it was not necessary, the absence of Minister Nara Lokesh here was being felt as a shortcoming. In reality, Nara Lokesh had no connection whatsoever with that programme.
But Pawan Kalyan making these remarks became a hot topic in both parties. On the other hand, the comments made by Pawan during the Jana Sena leaders’ positions-and-responsibilities meeting held on Monday are also being viewed as sending the same signals. He once again stated that the alliance should remain in power for another ten to fifteen years and explained this in his own style. He clarified that saying this does not mean weakening one’s own party or strengthening someone else. He said that first democracy in the state should be strengthened, and once everyone comes to an equal level, then other ideas can be thought of. Until then, Pawan Kalyan made it clear that he wants the alliance to remain strong.
Pawan Kalyan is now 54 years old. That means, as per what he himself has said, if Pawan Kalyan has to think about the Chief Minister’s post or anything else, he would have to wait another ten to fifteen years. By then, his age would be between 65 and 70 years. Looking at all this, along with Jana Sena leaders, TDP leaders are also expressing the opinion that Pawan Kalyan appears to be playing safe politically. Since the alliance came to power, Pawan Kalyan repeatedly saying that the alliance should remain in power for another ten to fifteen years is not going down well with Jana Sena leaders and cadre. Pawan Kalyan also knows what they are thinking on this issue, and hence, party leaders feel that he offered an explanation during the meeting held on Monday. If the alliance remains in power for another ten to fifteen years, the Chief Minister will either be Chandrababu Naidu or Nara Lokesh, and not Pawan Kalyan—this is a known fact.
In short, Jana Sena leaders say that more than what posts or seats they have received, Pawan Kalyan is very comfortable in this government, and that he will not get such a situation anywhere else. Moreover, whether it is Assembly sessions or collectors’ meetings, he attends them only when he feels like it, and there does not appear to be any compulsion on him to attend them mandatorily. This is being said not only by TDP leaders but also by Jana Sena leaders. Because of the stand taken by Pawan Kalyan, even if some of his fans and leaders drift away in the coming days, there will be no damage to the alliance, and at the same time, Pawan Kalyan himself will not face any problems within the alliance. That is why TDP leaders are of the opinion that he has chosen this “safe zone” model. Moreover, considering the strength Jana Sena has, as per the current political equations, it is not possible to secure the Chief Minister’s seat in Andhra Pradesh on its own without aligning with someone.
However, when compared to Jagan, Pawan Kalyan finds greater comfort within the alliance government itself. Here, in every way, whatever he wants seems to be happening, and he is enjoying power, leaders from both parties say. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who says that the opposition is intimidating, has forgotten the incident in which an MP and an MLA’s brother threatened someone for commissions in tenders. On the other hand, several instances of threats by some TDP MLAs as well as Jana Sena MLAs have also come out. Perhaps all these are democratic actions in Pawan Kalyan’s view. Pawan Kalyan, who once said that he would know about anything that happens anywhere while in the opposition, does he not know what is happening now that he is in the government?
