Telugu population has considerable influence in about 40 assembly constituencies of Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru city and those constituencies close to Rayalaseema districts. In last year’s assembly elections they played a key role in defeating BJP in the state, due to Narendra Modi government’s tactical support to YS Jaganmohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh.
During the arrest of Chandrababu Naidu by Jagan’s government, Bengaluru witnessed large scale protests, out-side two Telugu states, indicating their anger against YS Jagan and BJP. However, during Lok Sabha elections to regain their hold over the state, BJP is attempting to woo Telugu people by fielding Jana Sena chief into campaign.
Pawan Kalyan is now mainly focusing his campaign on 21 assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats, where Jana Sena candidates are contesting. He started his first phase campaign in 10 assembly seats on Saturday, from Pithapuram the constituency he himself contesting.
BJP leadership has reportedly requested him to spare a few days to campaign in Bengaluru city for BJP candidates in most constituencies Telugu people can influence the victory or defeat of any candidate. In the past too, he had campaigned here.
Leader of Opposition and BJP senior leader R Ashok and BJP MP and Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya are reportedly preparing a tour programme for Pawan Kalyan. He is likely to campaign for three days in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, on the very first day of his campaign schedule AP Police created hurdles in Pithapuram refusing permission for his campaign on his Varahi vehicle on the plea that advance permission was not taken. As a result, in the evening he will formally launch his campaign trail in a small vehicle.
On the otherhand, Jana Sena has finaled its candidate for Machilipatnam Lok Sabha constituency, which was left undecided. The sitting MP Vallabheni Balasheri has been finalized as the candidate for the party. In the last elections he had won the seat as YSRCP candidate, but he defected into Jana Sena, as the YSRCP refused to renominate him. In 2004 he won first time as MP from Narasaraopet as Congress candidate and he was defeated in 2009.
