Film actor and founder of the Jana Sena party Pawan Kalyan on Monday ruled out any truck with the Telugu Desam Party and the YSRCP in the 2019 Assembly and general elections and said his party would turn a formidable force soon.
In an exclusive interview to The Hindu, Mr. Pawan said: “As part of our strategy to contest all the 175 seats, we have already finalised candidates for 90 Assembly segments. We give utmost priority for capability to win and also for social justice. Caste equations and other so-called parameters will not be applied in the selection. We learnt many lessons in the Praja Rajyam which gave tickets to candidates with lack of experience and leadership qualities.”
In an obvious reference to the view among a few sections that he is a political novice, Mr. Pawan said he had 10 years of political experience with the Praja Rajyam which could win 19 Assembly seats in 2009 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. He worked as head of the Yuva Rajyam in the party established by his elder brother and hero Chiranjeevi. The party had been merged with the Congress Party a few years ago.
In the first-ever interview to any media in AP after snapping ties with the TDP, Mr. Pawan said the Jana Sena was taking steps to gain the maximum political strength. “Although our policy is to contest all the seats, our options will be open. We would think of coalition with other like-minded parties only three months before the elections. In fact, one month is sufficient to finalise seat sharing with allies.”
Mr. Pawan, who extended his crucial support to the TDP in the 2014 elections, justified his decision to distance himself from the ruling party. “The TDP failed to do justice to any section. Moreover, it adopted a divide and rule policy among various castes. It encouraged destructive development. The Bharatiya Janata Party has also failed to meet the expectations of the people on crucial issues including the Special Category Status. All these factors made me withdraw my support to both the parties. I can assure you that I will not indulge in deceptive politics like other parties. I promise human angle in every decision if the Jana Sena is voted to power,” he said.
He said funds would be allocated judiciously for all sections. “There is no fund crunch for many programmes. But implementation is the major concern. For instance, the government has failed to implement the SC and ST Sub Plan in spite of many tall promises. I won’t allow such mistakes. We don’t need to do wonders. Our first and foremost duty will be to stick to clean administration at every level. It would automatically usher in many changes in society within no time,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said.
