Cong. smells ‘hidden agenda’ in Pawan’s entry into TS

A split in the anti-incumbency vote will benefit us, says Telangana Rashtra Samiti

Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan offers sweets to his wife Anna Lezhneva in Hyderabad before leaving for Kondagattu to launch his ‘Chalo re Chalo’ yatra on Monday.

Film actor and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan’s visit to Telangana districts has stirred up intense debate in political circles over the possible intent of such an exercise.

While the film actor himself did not touch upon any political issues during his interactions with people, political parties, the Congress in particular, is sensing some tacit understanding of the Jana Sena with the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti. The Congress leaders have their axe to grind against the Jana Sena chief as any impact he casts on the next election will result in split of votes.

This will in turn benefit the ruling party, they feel. Congress party feels Pawan Kalyan’s attempt to make inroads into Telangana was not without agenda. Successive surveys and feedback about the TRS Government’s functioning and the performance of the elected representatives has been a cause of concern for Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, sources said. But, after today’s comments made by the actor about his intent to contest the next elections in Telangana, Congress party is said to be worried about damage Jana Sena could do.

A senior TPCC leader said their internal surveys clearly showed that Congress was gaining ground in several constituencies. “Wherever the party is likely to give tough time to the TRS candidates, presence of Jana Sena nominee will affect us,” the leader argued. “At the slightest pretext, he travels to Andhra Pradesh and interacts with people, but why did he not meet the people, who are suffering in Telangana,” TPCC spokesperson Mallu Ravi questioned.

The Congress is worried that unless other opposition parties come together, it will be difficult to take on the TRS. “Whether Jana Sena chief speaks against or in favour of the TRS, it is going to have some impact. Even 1% shift in voting pattern can upset the calculations of the political parties,” another Congress leader remarked. The party has reasons to worry as in the recent Gujarat Assembly elections, it lost 16 seats with less than 2,000 votes. Bharatiya Janata Party State President K. Laxman noted that in democracy everyone has a right to float a party. “Voters are the real judges,” he said and felt that the BJP was the only alternative in Telangana as the TRS popularity was waning and the Congress was unable to improve its position.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLC Aminul Hasan Jaffry said Pawan Kalyan will be a non-starter in Telangana. “He lacks the stature to oppose K. Chandrasekhar Rao and N. Chandrababu Naidu,” he noted. Mr. Jaffry said no film personality except late N.T. Rama Rao could hold sway on the electorate.

Leaders say there is similarity in the way Praja Rajyam Party launched by actor Chiranjeevi only benefitted the Congress in the united Andhra Pradesh and split the anti-incumbency votes.

A TRS leader brushed aside the Congress criticism maintaining that more the parties in the fray, it will benefit the ruling TRS. “Whether its Jana Sena, Kodandaram’s proposed party or any other outfit that plans to contest the polls, the anti-incumbency vote will split and in turn benefit us,” he said.