It is being speculated that actor Pawan Kalyan, who will formally launch his political party, Jana Sena, in Hyderabad on Friday, might contest from the Kakinada Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming polls. If Pawan contests from the Kakinada Lok Sabha seat, the calculations of the established political parties will go awry as he hails from the dominant Kapu community in the district. The community holds sway over four constituencies Pithapuram, Peddapuram, Jaggampet and Prathipadu.
According to sources, the TD is likely to give tickets to Kapu community leaders in Prathipadu and Jaggampet. The YSRC is likely to give five tickets to Kapu leaders for Pithapuram, Peddapuram, Prathipadu, Jaggampet and Tuni. In such a situation, if Pawan decides to run from Kakinada, “it may cause some upsets and his image can affect the results of the candidates”, said a senior TD leader. Students of engineering colleges in the area and the youth, irrespective of caste, have been wearing T shirts with “Pawanism” printed on them after the success of the movie Atharintiki Daredi, said sources.
Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan’s fans are making arrangements to set up live screens at the Sri Venkateswara Function Hall here to show Pawan’s party launch live. “We are implementing Pawan’s instructions,” said Kakinada City Pawan Kalyan Fans Association president Chintakayala Chinni. However, he was unsure whether the fans are supporting Pawan or his elder brother Chiranjeevi.
The TD is hoping to capture the Kapu vote by promising `1,000 crore per annum for their welfare. Union minister for Human Resources Development M. Pallam Raju, meanwhile, is banking on his own image to see him through the election. In spite of the public anger against the Congress over the bifurcation issue, Mr Raju, is relying on his “development mantra” and is expecting that the electorate will not abandon him.
