The latest alliance between Bharatiya Janata Party and Jana Sena Party of actor Pawan Kalyan has created no sensation in Andhra Pradesh politics, as it hardly makes any difference at this stage when the general elections are nearly four and a half years away.
But yes, the YSR Congress party leaders have rather over-reacted on this alliance, but they sought to attack Pawan Kalyan for his political inconsistency, rather than the BJP because their party does not want to enter into confrontation with the Centre.
In fact, YSR Congress party general secretary and parliamentary party leader V Vijay Sai Reddy attacked Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu for the Jana Sena-BJP alliance.
“While Pawan Kalyan was just an actor, the script writer, director and producer who provides funding for the drama is none other than Chandrababu Naidu, the 40-years industry in politics,” he said in a twitter message.
He said whether Pawan Kalyan joined hands with the Communists or prostrated before the Bahujan Samaj Party or inclined towards the lotus party, he would do it only under the directions of Chandrababu Naidu.
As if endorsing Sai Reddy’s comments, Naidu on Saturday welcomed the Jana Sena-BJP alliance.
“But I will be happier, if both the parties strive together for retaining Amaravati as the capital. We shall appreciate the alliance, if they ensure that the capital is not shifted to Visakhapatnam,” he said.
Though the BJP-Jana Sena leaders announced that they would emerge as the third alternative force in the state, anything might happen in the next four years.
“One should not be surprised if Naidu also joins the BJP-Jana Sena combine just before the elections to consolidate the anti-establishment vote bank,” an analyst said.