Many believe that Pawan Kalyan is projecting himself as the protector of Sanatana Dharma in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, two states where Assembly elections are due in 2026.
Published Feb 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM
Pawan Kalyan, along with his son Akira Nanda, is on a tour visiting temples in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s visit to a few temples in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is seen as a political move though the actor-politician has been denying any such motive.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan appears to have once again assumed his Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana (protector of Sanatana Dharma) avatar.
He took up the avatar even as a perceived rift has been widening between Kalyan and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
The deputy chief minister left on a three-day visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, 12 February. He is visiting several temples. Already, he has built an image for himself as a protector of Sanatana Dharma, which aligns with the BJP’s ideology.
Though he termed his visit apolitical, doubts remain. He said he was visiting the temples to fulfil his vows. However, with elections scheduled in Tamil Nadu and Kerala next year and the BJP backing him, speculation is rife that his visit is intended to pave the way for the saffron party’s entry into these southern states, which would add to his stature.
“My visit appears to be political, but it is not,” he responded to a reporter at Agasthya Ashram. However, his “knowing smile” left room for much interpretation.
Kalyan appears keen on promoting himself as a tall leader. He is aware that such moves would ruffle the feathers of his boss, Naidu.
Now, the curtain rises on the next episode of Kalyan’s efforts to elevate himself politically. The deputy chief minister embarked on his temple tour along with his son, Akira Nandan, in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a day after skipping the secretaries’ conference called by the chief minister on Tuesday, 11 February.
He did not even provide a reason for his absence. At the meeting, Naidu reportedly commented that he had attempted in vain to reach Kalyan.
The next day, Kalyan embarked on his trip to visit temples. His itinerary included Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple and Sri Parasuramaswamy Temple (both in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala), Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu), Agasthya Jeeva Samadhi (Tamil Nadu/Kerala border) Kumbeswara Temple (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu), Swamimalai Murugan Temple (Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu), and Tiruttani Subramanya Swamy Temple (Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu)
On the first day of his tour, pictures of Kalyan visiting Agasthya Ashram along with Nandan set the speculation mill on fire. Many believe he is once again trying to project himself as the protector of Sanatana Dharma at the behest of the BJP. Interestingly, both Kerala and Tamil Nadu will go to Assembly elections in 2026.
When reporters met him at Agasthya Ashram, he insisted that his visit was purely personal and spiritual, though it gave the impression of having a political motive. He also mentioned that he had health issues, particularly related to his spine. However, his grin suggested otherwise.
Memories are still fresh in the Jana Sena camp regarding recent attempts by TDP leaders to elevate Lokesh as Deputy chief minister, as they did not want to see him as No. 3 in the Cabinet.
From the beginning, Jana Sena workers have been unhappy that a popular leader like Pawan Kalyan had to settle for just 21 Assembly seats during the seat-sharing arrangement. They argue that his 100 percent strike rate in the elections is proof of his immense popularity and leadership stature.
When Naidu took him as deputy chief minister, they grudgingly accepted it. They reconciled to the fact that there was no higher position available. However, they were not prepared for a scenario where multiple deputy chief ministers would be appointed, as YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had done when the YSRCP was in power.
From a political perspective, it appears that the perceived gap between him and the chief minister is not narrowing but widening. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s backing, Kalyan seems to be positioning himself as an indomitable leader, raising questions about whether he is preparing to challenge Naidu at an opportune time.
Recently, there was a heated exchange between TDP and Jana Sena workers over the demand by TDP leaders that IT Minister N Lokesh be made a deputy chief minister.
TDP Politburo member R Srinivasa Reddy proposed Lokesh’s elevation at a public meeting in Mydukur, Kadapa district, in the presence of Naidu.
Former minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy from erstwhile Nellore district stated: “When the time comes, Lokesh should be in a position to take responsibility for both the party and the government.”
Jana Sena leaders hit back, saying that Kalyan should be made the chief minister if Lokesh is elevated as a deputy chief minister.
JSP leader Kiran Royal stated: “There is nothing wrong in TDP leaders asking for the deputy chief minister’s position for Lokesh. But one should not forget that we, too have been waiting for the last 10 years to see our leader Pawan Kalyan as the chief minister.”
Their argument was clear: Lokesh cannot be considered equal to Kalyan, as they believe the latter is of much higher stature. However, they do not mind Kalyan working under Naidu.
Sensing that the dispute could spiral out of control, Naidu quickly intervened to douse the flames before they escalated.
Earlier, when the Tirumala laddu adulteration controversy emerged, Kalyan reacted sharply, quickly assuming the role of a Sanatana Dharma Parirakshana leader. He cleaned the steps of the Kanaka Durga Ammavari Temple in Vijayawada and later visited Lord Venkateswara atop Tirumala in October last year, climbing the steps and resting at intervals due to exhaustion.
After his Tirumala visit, he addressed a massive public meeting in Tirupati, where he declared: “Sanatana Dharma cannot be wiped out” and questioned why attacks on Sanatana Dharma were never condemned.
He further stated: “A wrong is always a wrong, regardless of whether one condemns it or not. You may want to be politically correct, but I always speak the truth.” He advocated for the creation of a Sanatana Dharma Protection Board at both national and state levels to oversee protective measures.
Adding to the intrigue, his brother and film actor Chiranjeevi made cryptic comments at a film function in Hyderabad recently.
He said that the Praja Rajyam Party he founded in 2009 had now transformed into Jana Sena, and Kalyan was leading it towards the goals he had envisioned. Everyone knows that Chiranjeevi floated Praja Rajyam to capture power in the state but ended up indirectly benefiting the Congress.
This raises the question: Is Pawan Kalyan now attempting to fulfil the dream that Chiranjeevi once had but could not achieve?
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
