In the 2019 assembly and Lok Sabha polls, Jana Sena contested 18 Lok Sabha seats and 137 assembly seats, but the party managed to win only one assembly seat. He himself contested from 2 assembly seats, lost both.
A Legendary Journey from Cinema to Politics
Pawan Kalyan, the "Power Star" of Telugu cinema, has made a remarkable transition from the silver screen to the political arena. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to him as "aandhi" or a storm, which is not just a metaphor but a testament to his meteoric rise in Andhra Pradesh politics. Kalyan's journey began in 2008 when he joined his elder brother Chiranjeevi's political party, Praja Rajyam Party, as the president of its youth wing. However, after Chiranjeevi merged the party with the Congress, Kalyan took a break from politics, expressing his discontent with the decision.
The Birth of Jana Sena Party
In 2014, Kalyan founded his own political party, Jana Sena, and allied with Chandrababu Naidu and the BJP. He campaigned extensively for the TDP-BJP alliance in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Despite his party's initial struggles, Kalyan remained committed to his political goals and continued to engage with the public on various issues.
The 2019 Elections: A Turning Point
In the 2019 assembly and Lok Sabha polls, Jana Sena contested 18 Lok Sabha seats and 137 assembly seats, but the party managed to win only one assembly seat. He himself contested from 2 assembly seats, lost both. Then his continued efforts to fight for public issues despite losing the elections in 2019 made it very clear that he could do more in the event of his victory in polls to facilitate his entry into the State Assembly. Additionally, the sharp criticism by Jagan Reddy and his YSRCP party senior leaders on his personal life including marriage actually earned him more popularity and sympathy among the general public, given that he is one of the biggest stars of present day Telugu cinema.
The Night That Changed Andhra Politics
The arrest of Chandrababu Naidu in September 2023 marked the beginning of the end for Jagan Mohan Reddy's government. Kalyan was detained at the Telangana-Andhra border while heading to meet Naidu in jail. This incident galvanized public support for Kalyan and the TDP, ultimately leading to the formation of a winning pre-poll alliance between the TDP and the BJP. Jana Sena, TDP, and the BJP contested the assembly and Lok Sabha elections together, resulting in a historic victory for the alliance. Jana Sena won all 21 assembly seats and 2 Lok Sabha seats it contested, with a 100% strike rate.
The Rise to Power
Kalyan's remarkable performance in the elections earned him the position of deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, making him the second most powerful person in the state. His ability to unite two traditional rival caste groups, Kammas and Kapus, and bring down the Reddy-dominated YSRCP from power has cemented his position as a key player in Andhra Pradesh politics. Prime Minister Modi's description of Kalyan as "aandhi" is a testament to his impact on the state's political landscape.
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