Cracks appear to be surfacing in the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party alliance even before the finalisation of seat-sharing talks between the two parties.
It was evident from the comment made by Jana Sena Party chief and power star Pawan Kalyan at his party office at Mangalagiri on Friday.
He expressed unhappiness over TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu declaring candidates for a couple of seats like Mandapeta.
In retaliation, Pawan Kalyan also announced that his party would be contesting two seats – Razole and Rajanagaram, in the coming elections.
“They have announced candidates for two seats; so I am also announcing the contest in these two seats, as I feel the letter “R” is a good omen on Republic Day,” he said.
The Jana Sena chief said it was unfortunate that the TDP had announced candidates in a few constituencies unilaterally even before the finalisation of seat-sharing between the two parties.
“As per the alliance dharma, the TDP should not have announced the seats, but they have done. It has created confusion,” he said.
The power star apologised to the party leaders and cadres for the mistake committed by the TDP leadership.
“It has caused anxiety among the Jana Sena Party leaders, but let us not take it very seriously. Let us sort it out,” he said.
Pawan Kalyan reminded that even when TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh made an open statement about the next chief minister, he did not react to it.
“I was forced to maintain restraint, because I felt bringing down the Jagan government from power is my primary concern,” he said.
The Jana Sena Party chief, however, gave a benefit of doubt to Naidu and Lokesh.
“Naidu is a senior and seasoned politician with over four decades of experience and he is running a very big party. He will have lots of pulls and pressures. So, under pressure, he must have made the announcement on a couple of seats,” he said.
Pawan Kalyan appealed to the party leaders and cadre to trust him and give him five years’ time to resolve all the issues.
“Let us forget smaller issues cropping up as part of alliance and look at a broader picture. Let us focus on pulling down Jagan from power,” he said.