To contest or not to contest from Pithapuram: Pawan Kalyan’s dilemma

To contest or not to contest from Pithapuram assembly constituency? This question has been troubling the Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan for quite some time. He had initially announced that he would contest the upcoming elections from the Pithapuram constituency and now seems to be in a dilemma, suggesting that he might be afraid of defeat. The party is facing a series of setbacks in Pithapuram due to Pawan’s style of party functioning. Several leaders including former Jana Sena in-charge Manikeedi Seshu Kumari are leaving the party and joining the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

Seshu Kumari had secured 28,000 votes as a Jana Sena candidate from Pithapuram in 2019 assembly elections. Speaking to the media after joining YSRCP, she stated that Pawan's party doesn't fulfill promises, people don't trust him, and it lacks clear plans. The changing political equations in Pithapuram and the departure of influential leaders like Seshu Kumari seem to have forced Kalyan to reconsider contesting the assembly polls.

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Former TDP MLA SVSN Varma, a strong leader in Pithapuram, was initially hoping to get the Pithapuram ticket but was angered when Pawan  announced his intention to contest from there. Although Varma cooled down after discussions with Chandrababu Naidu, he said he would cooperate only if Kalyan contested from Pithapuram and warned that he would contest from TDP if someone else was fielded.

In light of these developments, Pawan is now saying that he will contest as the Kakinada MP if Amit Shah tells him to do so, and that Tangenalla Udaya Srinivas would be fielded as the Pithapuram MLA candidate. This shift in stance has raised doubts about the Jana Sena leader’s actual plans and motivations.

Also Read: Big Blow To Pawan Kalyan in Pithapuram!