In a significant political development, actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan took the oath as one of Andhra Pradesh’s cabinet ministers. This comes after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Chandrababu Naidu, secured a massive victory in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, winning 164 out of 175 seats as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) along with Janasena Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The TDP, Janasena Party, and BJP alliance triumphed in the recent assembly elections, with TDP winning 135 seats, Janasena Party 21 seats, and BJP 8 seats. Kalyan, who heads the Janasena Party, was elected from the Pithapuram assembly constituency in the East Godavari district.
Reports indicate that Pawan Kalyan is poised to become the deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. The Janasena Party had a flawless performance in the elections, winning all 21 assembly seats and both Lok Sabha seats it contested.
Background of Pawan Kalyan
Pawan Kalyan, a well-known actor in the Telugu film industry and the younger brother of K. Chiranjeevi, started his acting career in 1996 with the movie “Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi.” His notable films include “Tholi Prema,” “Gabbar Singh,” and “Attarintiki Daredi.” He won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor in Telugu for his role in “Gabbar Singh.” In 2014, he founded the Janasena Party, and he was the first South Indian brand ambassador for Pepsi in 2001.
Kalyan founded the Janasena Party in 2014, following his brother Chiranjeevi’s merger with the Congress, which disappointed the Kapu community. Initially, Kalyan supported the TDP-BJP alliance, which won the 2014 state election. However, he did not contest the elections himself due to the party’s nascent stage.
In the 2019 assembly elections, Kalyan formed alliances with the Communist parties and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), but they were defeated by Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP, which won a significant majority. Following this, Kalyan ended his partnership with the Left parties and BSP, teaming up with the BJP.
Strategic Alliance and Election Success
Before the 2024 elections, Kalyan joined forces with TDP, recognizing their growing popularity. This strategic move strengthened both parties, with Kalyan accepting 21 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats in their agreement. This alliance paid off, leading to his party’s success and a position in Naidu’s cabinet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Kalyan’s performance during the NDA meeting on June 7 at the Central Hall of the Old Parliament, highlighting the Janasena Party’s achievements in the assembly polls.
As Pawan Kalyan steps into his new role in the Andhra Pradesh cabinet, his journey from a popular actor to a significant political figure continues to evolve, marking a new chapter in the state’s political landscape.
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