Darling of Masses: How Pawan Kalyan stitched TDP-JSP-BJP alliance and won his seat too

Pithapuram: Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan recorded his first electoral victory when he won the Pithapuram assembly constituency.

He defeated his nearest rival and YSRCP leader Vanga Geetha with a majority of 70,279 votes. Pawan seemed to have benefited from Kapu votes. Kapus his fan base voted for Pawan Kalyan.

In an impressive performance, Janasena won all the seats allocated to it as part of a seat-sharing deal among the NDA partners, 21 Assembly and two Lok Sabha, scoring a cent per cent win rate.

The 2024 elections have been a crucial time for PK as he was trying his luck for the second time since entering politics a decade ago. In the 2019 elections, Pawan Kalyan faced defeat both from Bhimavaram and Gajuwaka Assembly seats. This time, Pawan Kalyan worked hard to win the seat.

Did mobilization of Kapu votes work for PK?

Pithapuram Assembly constituency with its 2.35 lakh voters was the center of gravity in the Andhra Pradesh elections.

A sizeable number of Kapu community voters huddled around his charisma. His opponent Vanga Geetha who heavily depended on her track record to defeat the actor-politician failed to gain many votes.

Ever since he decided to contest from Pithapuram, expectations were very high According to the sources, TDP banked on Pawan Kalyan so they prepared him accordingly.

Focusing on the Pitapuram MLA seat, TDP asked Pawan Kalyan to be Kapu epicenter. They made him a Kapu leader, the majority aiming at 80,000-90,000 Kapu votes in Pithapuram.

There has been a 75% mobilization of Kapu votes in favor of Janasena in 21 constituencies.

Alliance matters:

Had Pawan Kalyan not been there, the TDP-Janasena-BJP alliance would have never been stitched. Since the beginning, he has been friends with the BJP. Pawan Kalyan played a significant role in bringing them together despite the history of TDP and NDA.

Good support from Family:

Pawan Kalyan’s family members Varun Tej, Sai Dharma Tej, and Vaishnav Teja toured the constituency asking voters to support their uncle. The stars campaigning for their family member is one of the advantages for Jana Sena in Pithapuram.

After his winning, Pawan Kalyan's wife offered him Harathi.

His brother Chiranjeevi posted an emotional message on X.

Will he take any Ministry?

According to his brother Naga Babu, PK might not take up any post, or ministry. He will be the ‘conscious thinker’ for the government. He won’t ask for a position but he will be one of the decision makers. He will be the Bal Keshav Thackeray in AP.

"He is of a Chief Minister's stature and cannot settle for a ministry. He has it all in him to be the next CM of AP. Besides asking for prominent posts for Sena MLAs, PK will also hold a power alliance on the ground," said Naga Babu.

Janasena party believes that Pawan Kalyan will be the Chief Minister candidate in 2029.

Darling of masses:

Speaking to NewsMeter, Ajay Kumar Vemulapati, Janasena political advisor said that Pawan Kalyan is star of the show and darling of masses. Janasena will play a major role in building the state and will be the path of progress.

"Pawan Kalyan will be a brother and he will be a barrier and constant keeper of the government. Also the Jana sena will make the government stay on track on development and welfare," said Ajay.

Asked about Jana Sena candidates role in the Naidu's cabinet, he said that its too early to comment on it. But Jana Sena will be definitely part of the government.