The announcement made by BJP Andhra Pradesh unit president Somu Veerraju that actor-Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan would be the chief ministerial candidate of BJP-Jana Sena combine in the next elections has kicked up an interesting debate in the media and political circles.
Television channels like TV9 even conducted big debates over Somu Veerraju’s comments, drawing interesting observations from various political analysts.
There were sharp reactions from the YSR Congress party and the Telugu Desam Party as well for the BJP leader’s comments.
Veerraju, who the other day triggered a controversy stating that the BJP would project a Backward Classes leader as the CM candidate in AP in the next elections, suddenly changed the tune and said at a meeting of the party workers that Pawan would be the CM candidate of the alliance.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a clear message to the BJP leadership in the state, stating that Pawan Kalyan was his favourite and he should be given all the respect and affection by the BJP leaders. He is going to be our CM candidate in the next elections. Everybody should take it in letter and spirit,” he said.
This seems to have worked well on the Jana Sena leaders and cadres, who were hitherto been angry with the BJP for taking unilateral decisions without consulting the alliance partner.
“Yes, what Veerraju said is 100 per cent correct. Pawan has all the abilities to become the CM of the state. If all the Jana Sena and BJP leaders work hard, it can become reality in the coming days,” Jana Sena leader Nadendla Manohar said.
Obviously, the BJP appears to be making all out efforts to pamper Pawan Kalyan and Jana Sena in the wake of by-election to Tirupati parliamentary seat on April 17.
The BJP leaders have realised that Pawan Kalyan was upset and his party doesn’t cooperate in the Tirupati by-polls, the BJP can’t win the seat.
The meeting of Ratna Prabha with Pawan and Veerraju’s statements are a clear indication to this.
YSRC ridiculed BJP state president’s statement.
“People are laughing at the dramas you are enacting before the Tirupati by-poll. You are acting as if he (Pawan) will become CM if the BJP gets deposits in the by-poll. You continue to act and live in your own roles; and place cabbage flowers in the people’s ears. But they will bless only YSRCP in the elections,” party general secretary V Vijay Sai Reddy tweeted.
Veerraju gave a quick counter with his tweet: “Why are you bothered about us, Mr Sai Reddy? Though you are putting up brave front by placing flowers in the eyes of the courts, all you thieves are said to be biting your nails with tension. We shall tell the people of Tirupati what the BJP has given and will send you cabbages. They will be useful to you in jail, once your bail is cancelled,” he said.
TDP leaders said the BJP was only adopting use and throw attitude towards Pawan Kalyan in the wake of Tirupati by-elections.