The Jana Sena legislature party meeting at Visakhapatnam appears to be a carefully crafted message of coalition management and discipline.
Published Aug 29, 2025 | 12:29 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 29, 2025 | 12:29 PM
Pawan Kalyan. (X)
Synopsis: Pawan wants to move from rhetoric to results. His remark that “unity should be visible not just in words but in deeds” reflected his intention to make Jana Sena a credible partner in governance.
Prioritising the stability of the TDP-led NDA coalition, Jana Sena chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has called upon his party legislators — MLAs, MPs, and MLCs — not to make any move that would disturb the alliance.
The Deputy Chief Minister made the remarks at the inaugural session of the Jana Sena’s three-day conclave, which began in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, 28 August. The conclave brought together Jana Sena’s MLAs, MPs, MLCs, senior leaders, and grassroots cadres.
He said that Jana Sena’s future lies in strengthening the coalition, not in creating friction. The message was subtle but sharp: the NDA would remain in power if all its partners stayed united.
Pawan also seemed to address speculation that there were minor rifts within the NDA. Some sections of the TDP cadre have reportedly expressed unease over Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s promotion of his son, Nara Lokesh, who holds the Human Resources portfolio.
Many believe Lokesh is being groomed as the de facto Chief Minister. Technically, Pawan should be considered the No. 2 in the government as Deputy Chief Minister. But in practice, Lokesh is emerging as the most influential minister in the cabinet.
Instead of asserting himself aggressively in this power equation, Pawan made it clear that his priority was to keep the NDA strong and stable. He projected the coalition as a symbiotic model, where each partner strengthens the other. While this approach keeps him on the safer side, it also paints him as someone willing to play second fiddle to Naidu — at least for now.
Pawan’s tone throughout his address was firm but conciliatory, offering a roadmap for how the NDA — consisting of the TDP, BJP, and JSP — could provide Andhra Pradesh with a period of stable governance after years of political turbulence.
Pawan’s political journey has been one of ups and downs. In 2014, he supported the TDP-BJP alliance but stayed away from serious electoral contests. In 2019, he entered the fray on his own but faced a humiliating defeat, with Jana Sena winning only one Assembly seat while Pawan lost both Gajuwaka and Bhimavaram. Many dismissed him as a spent force in politics.
But in 2024, the tide turned. By allying with Naidu’s TDP and the BJP, Pawan revived his political fortunes. The JSP secured 21 Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats, and Pawan won from Pithapuram. His role in consolidating anti-YSRCP votes proved decisive in unseating YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s government.
It is this experience that shapes Pawan’s emphasis on coalition stability. “The stability of this government is our responsibility,” he told his legislators. He explained that Jana Sena should not indulge in internal power struggles but should focus on strengthening the alliance’s credibility.
Throughout his address, Pawan repeatedly stressed the word “iykatha” (unity). He privately instructed legislators to avoid provocative remarks, respect the coalition’s framework, and concentrate on governance.
For Pawan, unity is not an abstract idea but a practical necessity. YSRCP remains a strong force on the ground, and any sign of weakness within the NDA could be exploited. Analysts point out that Pawan’s insistence on discipline and unity is both a moral stand and a strategic move.
As a junior partner in a coalition dominated by the TDP’s 135+ MLAs, Jana Sena’s best chance to stay relevant is to project itself as a responsible and mature player.
Pawan’s speech balanced lofty ideals with practical instructions. He urged legislators to focus on farmers’ welfare and protect women from online abuse and derogatory campaigns. At the same time, he outlined managerial steps: monthly reviews of progress, ministers monitoring work on the ground, and clear accountability in governance.
For a party often accused of being personality-driven and disorganized, this was a clear signal that Pawan wants to move from rhetoric to results. His remark that “unity should be visible not just in words but in deeds” reflected his intention to make Jana Sena a credible partner in governance.
While Pawan spoke at length, the shadow of Chandrababu Naidu seemed to be looming large. With a commanding majority in the Assembly, Naidu is the undisputed leader of the coalition. Yet, he has repeatedly acknowledged Pawan as “the man who made 2024 possible.”
The chemistry between the two leaders, forged during their fight against YSRCP, now needs to be institutionalized. He wants the gravy train to run, with both benefiting from each other.
By emphasizing stability, Pawan reassured both Naidu and the BJP that he has no intention of destabilizing the government. For Naidu, this assurance is crucial, as he needs his government to project continuity, competence, and control — especially while facing challenges like fiscal stress and the contentious Amaravati capital issue, and the political challenges that keep coming from YSRCP supremo Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The Visakhapatnam conclave also doubled up as a training session for first-time MLAs. Most Jana Sena’s legislators are political newcomers who owe their victories largely to Pawan’s popularity. Their overactive social media presence sometimes creates embarrassment for the party.
Pawan warned them against “indiscipline” and “loose talk.” He urged responsible use of platforms and reminded them that a single controversy could damage the party’s image and even weaken the coalition.
Another dimension of Pawan’s remarks was his repeated reference to the NDA. Though the BJP has a small footprint in Andhra Pradesh, it brings the weight of the central government into the coalition. By reminding his cadre of this national link, Pawan projected Jana Sena not as a purely regional outfit but as a bridge between Andhra’s aspirations and the national developmental agenda. This long-term strategy allows Pawan to position JSP in larger political currents, thereby enhancing its bargaining power within the coalition.
Pawan declared confidently that the NDA could rule Andhra Pradesh for the next 15 years if unity is preserved. He reminded his cadre that the TDP’s 135 seats and Jana Sena’s 21 seats were both the product of cooperation. For now, Pawan appears content with a symbiotic model, where TDP provides the numerical strength and Jana Sena provides energy and credibility. But in the long run, he seems to be preparing a runway for Jana Sena to stand on its own strength.
The Jana Sena legislature meeting at Visakhapatnam appears to be a carefully crafted message of coalition management and discipline. Pawan projected himself as a responsible Deputy Chief Minister determined to ensure that the TDP-led NDA government not only survives but delivers.
Pawan’s intentions for his political journey are confined to the realms of speculation, but for now, he has succeeded in reframing the political narrative: Jana Sena is no longer just a junior partner; it is a stabilizing force in Andhra Pradesh politics.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
