Pawan’s ‘Sanatana Dharma’ campaign impacts Maha polls

In the recent Maharashtra elections, Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan, proved his political acumen as a key campaigner for the BJP. He actively participated in electioneering across five constituencies, and in every constituency where he campaigned, the BJP emerged victorious. His influence, however, was not limited to these areas. Pawan Kalyan’s advocacy for Sanatan Dharma resonated across Maharashtra, marking a significant shift beyond the Telugu-speaking states. His efforts garnered national attention, with discussions in the media throughout the weekend on his impact in Maharashtra.
Pawan Kalyan’s influence was instrumental in the success of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance), which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). In the Maharashtra assembly elections, the NDA coalition comfortably surpassed the 215-seat mark, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), was restricted to a lead in just 58 constituencies. By evening, the final results confirmed the NDA’s victory, securing 224 seats— a remarkable improvement over the BJP’s 105 seats in the 2019 elections. Political analysts have attributed this shift to Pawan Kalyan’s strategic campaigning and influence.
After the success of the BJP-TDP-Jana Sena alliance in Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan has increasingly positioned himself as a strong advocate of Sanatan Dharma, especially following his involvement in the Tirupati Laddu controversy. His Maharashtra election campaign focused on the protection of Hinduism, the importance of Dharma, and a call for national pride.
Pawan Kalyan has never hesitated to voice his views on critical national issues, often without waiting for directives. He brought up topics like the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir, the significance of Sanatan Dharma, and the Ram Mandir issue, which were less emphasised by BJP leaders. In Maharashtra, he also drew parallels between the region and the legacy of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji, urging the Marathi populace to support the BJP for a brighter future. He expressed deep admiration for Bal Thackeray and highlighted the ideological similarities between Shiv Sena and Jana Sena.
His statements regarding the political climate in Telangana and Hyderabad also created a stir, particularly his caution about provocative remarks from certain leaders in Hyderabad. These speeches generated widespread discussion across the political spectrum, solidifying Pawan Kalyan’s position as a key national leader.0