The decision by Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to cancel the party’s foundation day rally at Pithapuram on March 14 has triggered debate in media and political circles, with some questioning the rationale behind the move.
According to party sources, Pawan Kalyan had originally planned to hold a state-level foundation day event in Pithapuram in Kakinada district. However, on Tuesday, he announced that the state-level rally would be cancelled.
The party chief said the decision was taken after considering reports of adverse weather conditions and intense heat.
Instead, he directed party leaders and cadres to organise smaller celebrations at district, city, and mandal headquarters across the state.
He urged Jana Sena cadres, including “Jana Sainiks” and “Veera Mahilas,” to mark the day locally by hoisting the party flag and organising service activities such as blood donation camps, food distribution programmes, and environmental initiatives.
However, the explanation given by Pawan Kalyan has not convinced everyone.
“This is just March, and heatwaves are not usually so intense in Andhra Pradesh during this time. Parties can take adequate precautions to manage the heat, and there have been many instances of large gatherings being held even during much hotter periods,” some critics pointed out.
For instance, the Telugu Desam Party regularly holds its annual conclave, Mahanadu, on May 27 and 28—typically the hottest period of the summer—where thousands of party workers attend open-ground meetings across the state.
Even at the age of 75, party president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu continues to address the Mahanadu gathering despite the intense heat.
In fact, the Jana Sena Party itself organised its foundation day celebrations in previous years without citing summer conditions as a constraint.
Even in 2025, the party reportedly held its annual event without major disruptions despite similar weather conditions.
The latest decision has therefore led to speculation about whether the change reflects organisational challenges rather than weather concerns.
Some political analysts believe the party may have found it difficult to mobilise a large turnout for the Pithapuram event, prompting the leadership to scale down the programme.
Sources also suggest that the move could indicate Pawan Kalyan’s lack of interest in strengthening the party organisation or boosting the confidence of cadres through large gatherings.
“Or perhaps Pawan Kalyan himself wants to avoid facing the summer heat in the open, or he might have a shooting schedule on that day,” a source remarked.
However, supporters of the party defended the decision, saying that decentralised celebrations would allow cadres across districts to participate more actively instead of concentrating the programme in one location.