Fact Check: Did Pawan Kalyan’s Jan Sena exit BJP-led NDA?

On October 5, several media outlets, including ANI reported that Pawan Kalyan’s Jan Sena exited the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in support of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

ANI published a report titled `Actor, Politician Pawan Kalyan exits NDA to support Chandrababu Naidu’. According to the report, Jan Sena has left NDA to support TDP during difficult times. It quoted the actor-politician as saying, “TDP is a strong party, and Andhra Pradesh needs the Telugu Desam Party for good governance for the development of the state. Today, TDP is in a struggle, and we will support them. TDP needs Janasaink's young blood support in this situation. If TDP and Janasena join hands, YSRCP will be submerged in the state.”

Media outlets such as DNA, ABP News, The Print, Mirror Now, and News agency IANS also reported that Jan Sena has withdrawn support from NDA. (Click here, here, here, here and here to see the archive of the posts.)

Chandrababu Naidu was arrested by CID on September 9. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief is accused of allegedly misappropriating funds from the Skill Development Corporation, which reportedly resulted in a loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state exchequer.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim of Jan Sena leaving the NDA alliance is false. Pawan Kalyan was misquoted by the media outlets. He did extend support to Chandrababu Naidu but did not exit NDA. The Jan Sena chief said, “Despite being an NDA ally, he came out to support TDP as they are weak now. We are with TDP as its experience, and Jana Sena’s young blood is needed to throw Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) out from Andhra Pradesh.”

In the same meeting, He made it clear that talks are still going on with the BJP. He said, “I am ready to go to elections with anyone who joins the TDP- JSP alliance. I strongly believe and request that BJP leadership come along with us. My priority is the state and the people.

In another meeting yesterday at Madanapalle, Pawan Kalyan said, “For Jagan and YSRCP leaders, I will let you know if I am exiting from NDA. I know Modi, Amit Shah, and JP Nadda. YSRCP need not speak for me. I can speak for myself.”

Speaking to NewsMeter, Bolisetty Srinivas, JSP leader and party in-charge, clarified that the actor-turned political is not leaving NDA but supporting TDP in its time of need. Pawan Kalyan, in his speech in Krishna district, did not say that he was leaving NDA.

On October 5, in another post on X, ANI also posted a clarification by Janasena state general secretary and spokesperson Bolisetty Satyanarayana on party chief Pawan Kalyan’s statement. It quoted Satyanarayana as saying, “I wish to clarify what Pawan Kalyan Garu said in a meeting yesterday. What he said was, “Though I am in a part of NDA, I am talking about Telugu Desam because they are in a weaker position today.” He didn't say he is out of NDA. We are with NDA and we are going to be with TDP also because their experience is needed to throw YSRCP out of Andhra Pradesh.”

Hence, we conclude Pawan Kalyan’s statement was widely misreported by the media outlets. Jan Sena supported Chandrababu Naidu despite being in alliance with NDA.