In Andhra Pradesh, the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is currently compelled by circumstances to focus more on Jana Sena Party (JSP) president and popular Tollywood hero Pawan Kalyan than on the principal opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP). This is not to say that YSRCP is underestimating TDP, which is organizationally strong in rural and urban areas across the state. The YSRCP has shifted focus to Pawan as the actor-politician has the potential to strengthen anti-incumbency because of his film persona and ascendancy of the Kapu community, which is poised to play a key role in the coming 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Leaders of the ruling party are accusing Pawan Kalyan of having ‘polygamous’ relations in defiance of traditional values. This taunt has come in handy as a weapon for YSRCP whenever Pawan slams it on the developmental front. The criticism of Pawan by YSRCP has been strident after the ‘power star’ successfully completed the first phase of his ‘Varaahi’ Vijaya Yatra in a specially designed vehicle. The yatra’s success has infused josh among the JSP cadre and enhanced self-confidence in Pawan. The yatra clicked, though the ruling party leaders had contested its naming after Varaahi and termed the exercise as blasphemous. YSRCP is particularly concerned over Pawan’s concentration on the whole lot of 34 seats in the combined districts of East and West Godavari, after declaring that he would “not allow the ruling party to win even one seat out of the 34”. His confidence stems from the fact that these 34 seats are under the influence of the Kapu community to which Pawan belongs. Pawan Kalyan has been making efforts to achieve unity in the Kapu community. YSRCP chief and Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has been thwarting those efforts because a united Kapu community could throw a spanner in the works of YSRCP. In view of the sensitivity of the situation, Pawan perceives threat to life and has sought security for his safety.
The Kapu community yearns to be among the ‘ruling’ communities like Reddy & Kamma. But the community has failed to throw up a strong leader who can battle all odds. So, if unity is achieved among Kapus in the current situation, it would be advantageous to Pawan.
Former prime minister Viswanath Pratap Singh, who came to be called ‘Mr. Clean’ in the Indian political firmament after he had walked out of the Congress government headed by Rajiv Gandhi in 1987 protesting the Bofors scam, famously resorted to the tactic of concentrating on favourable vote bank in particular pockets. During the elections of 1989 for the Lok Sabha, he had emerged as an alternative to Rajiv Gandhi and planned to tour the northern belt of the country extensively. After the government began countering it by deliberately delaying flight schedules to cities in his itinerary, he chose to focus on the belt comprising 60 Lok Sabha constituencies in eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar, including his home turf Fatehpur. He toured those areas travelling by car that yielded him good results. He ultimately became the Prime Minister in December 1989.
In the combined Andhra Pradesh, people had a strong belief that the party that wins handsomely in both the Godavari districts would ultimately have sway of the entire state. The outcomes in the 2014 &2019 elections and the post bifurcation period prove this.
Another idea behind this strategic move of JSP is to indirectly bargain for more seats from TDP, though there are question marks over the chief minister post as well as seat sharing among the two parties.
Amidst all this, the YSRCP strongly wants triangular fights in all the constituencies. It cannot countenance an alliance between TDP and JSP. The ruling party strongly believes that triangular or multi-cornered contests would split the anti-government votes and thereby benefit YSRCP indirectly.
Hence, the YSRCP has begun to target ‘crowd puller’ Pawan who is trying to influence the electorate in Godavari districts. The notice issued by the State Women Commission, following the finding during the Varaahi Yatra that 16,000 young girls across the state went ‘missing’, has raised many eyebrows, resulting in political one-upmanship.
Taking on political opponents through social media platforms has taken an ugly turn with abundant use of filthy language. Even women members of the families of prominent politicians are not spared in this online mudslinging.
Former Chief Justice of India Justice NV Ramana has expressed his displeasure at the ongoing attacks on social media by the respective wings of political parties. He wondered how those persons are running political parties when they are not connected to people!
