KCR’s Next Target Is Pawan Kalyan?

KCR and the BRS (formerly TRS) had sailed through victory easily in the last general elections, thanks to Chandrababu Naidu and his campaign in Telangana. BRS turned this in its favour by invoking the Telangana sentiment. It indeed worked in the ruling party’s favour. This is not all. KCR had also stated a “return gift” from him to Chandrababu. Jagan and YSRCP stormed to power (2019) in Andhra Pradesh decimating the TDP.

Cut to the present, BRS is lacking such easy targets to invoke sentiment. The other day KCR surprisingly attacked YS Sharmila at Narsampet. He alleged that Sharmila developed a grudge against the BRS MLA candidate and asked the people to choose between Telangana welfare and YS Sharmila’s cashbags. KCR tried his best to bring back the Telangana sentiment.

Both the TDP and YS Sharmila’s YSRTP are out of the race in Telangana Assembly polls. While Sharmila has openly announced its support to the Congress, the TDP is unofficially backing the Congress. The only “Andhra” face in Telangana Assembly polls is Pawan Kalyan. Pawan’s Janasena has a poll pact with the BJP. Both BJP and Janasena are contesting the elections. Janasena is limited to only 8 Assembly seats.

If Pawan Kalyan campaigns for BJP and Janasena combine, it is going to be a big advantage for KCR and the BRS. Political analysts are predicting that Pawan’s campaign might favour the ruling BRS. KCR may once again highlight the sentiment. As Pawan is a direct ally of Chandrababu in AP, KCR can raise this topic as well and try his best to take advantage. The only point is whether the people of Telangana are ready to accept the “sentiment” as a major electoral issue or not.

So far, Pawan hasn’t taken part in the poll campaign. If Pawan comes to the campaign, it may benefit KCR. KCR’s next target could be Pawan Kalyan, the only Andhra face in T-elections. As Telangana is going to vote on 30th November, it is only two weeks away. The public mandate will be out on 3rd December.