Raising many an eyebrow, and hackles of a few, Lakshmi Padmavati, wife of BJP MLA Akula Satyanaryana, participated in the dharna staged here on Saturday by the Jana Sena Party (JSP) to express her solidarity with its president Pawan Kalyan’s day-long fast over the chronic kidney disease (CKD) issue in Srikakulam.
Ms. Padmavati’s sudden appearance at the dharna camp in front of the Sub-Collector’s office surprised many in the BJP and the JSP as well.
For the media, the twist in the city politics was enough food for thought, and when it reached her for her comments, Ms. Padmavati said she had been a staunch follower of Mr. Pawan Kalyan and had campaigned on behalf of his party in the 2014 elections.
“The social issues being taken up by the JSP president have always attracted me,” Ms. Padmavati said, and added that her husband did not find fault with her decision.
“I told my husband over phone about my decision. He never obstructs my freedom and I will continue to support the JSP,” she asserted. “I have not taken this decision keeping in view the elections in 2019. I will participate in every programme the JSP takes up in future if it is in public interest,” she made it clear.
Dr. Satyanaryana, who was away in Guntur to attend the swearing in ceremony of BJP State president Kanna Lakshminarayana, told The Hindu that Ms. Padmavati’s decision to take part in the JSP dharna was her own.
‘Not an aspirant’
“She did not participate in the dharna in view of the elections. I do not think she is aspiring to contest the elections on behalf of any party, including the JSP,” Dr. Satyanarayana said.
But for the BJP, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
“It is ethically and morally incorrect, particularly when her husband is an active BJP functionary and an MLA. We will take this matter to the notice of the party leadership,” said BJP city president Bommula Dattu.
