Upset with TDP ‘hijacking’ seats, Pawan declares Jana Sena candidates for Razole, Rajanagaram

Amaravati: In a move that highlights tensions between allies Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan announced on Friday that his party will field candidates in Razole and Rajanagaram Assembly constituencies for the upcoming Andhra Pradesh State Assembly elections.

Jana Sena cadre was reportedly upset that the TDP had announced candidates in Mandapeta and Araku Assembly constituencies before the parties could decide on seat sharing.

'TDP did not consult Jana Sena'

“The TDP decided to announce its candidates without consultation with us despite Jana Sena being an ally. Like Chandrababu Naidu, I also have pressure from my cadre to announce their candidature for the upcoming elections. Hence, I thought Republic Day would be an auspicious occasion for this announcement. And I like RRR, so I am announcing Jana Sena candidates for Razole and Rajanagaram Assembly constituencies,” Pawan Kalyan said, while addressing the media after Republic Day celebrations at the party headquarters in Mangalagiri.

Pawan Kalyan apologised to cadres

Sources said that Pawan Kalyan had made this announcement without consulting the TDP and in response to the TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu announcing their candidates for Mandapeta and Araku Assembly constituencies during the ‘Raa Kadali Ra’ programme in North Andhra districts without considering their alliance with the Jana Sena.

Soon after Naidu’s announcement, cadres from Jana Sena at Mandapeta and Araku expressed their dissatisfaction with the TDP’s decision. Pawan Kalyan reportedly had to apologise to the cadre from Mandapeta. He said he assured them that he would raise the issue with Naidu soon.

“Keeping in view the welfare and interest of the state, I didn’t bother when Nara Lokesh announced that Naidu would be the chief minister if the TDP-Jana Sena alliance came to power. Moreover, once again, if YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is voted to power again, the state will face a lot of crises. All these factors are forcing me not to comment on TDP leaders,” the Jana Sena president said.

Jana Sena leaders threatening to go independent

On January 21, Chandrababu Naidu participated in the ‘Raa Kadali Ra’ programme in Araku and announced the TDP will be fielding V Jogeswara Rao from Mandapeta and Donnu Dora from Araku Assembly constituencies.

Jana Sena leader Vegulla Leela Krishna was aspiring for a party ticket from Mandapeta as part of their alliance with the TDP. Once the announcement was made, an upset Leela Krishna questioned Chandrababu Naidu’s decision to announce his party’s candidate name for the seat even before the seat adjustment between TDP and JS was made. The announcement also led to the Jana Sena cadre in Mandapeta threatening to contest as rebels.