The conspicuous absence of AP Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan at the meeting of two Telugu states Chief Ministers held on Saturday evening is raising eyebrows in the political circles. The meeting was held on the initiative of AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka was also present. But the absence of Pawan Kalyan is raising several questions. Even Jana Sena cadre is also seen confused.
It may be recalled that Pawan Kalyan name was figured in the official list of names to be participated in the meeting released ahead of the meeting included Pawan Kalyan’s name. But only Pawan Kalyan was absent among all those names.
According to political circles, two main reasons are felt to be his absence in the meeting. First, he was on Varahi Ammavari Deksha, which ended on Saturday only. He observed 11-day deeksha following Jana Sena’s massive victory in the polls, by winning all the seats it contested. It started on June 25.
He consumed only liquid food like milk, fruits and fresh water during deeksha period. However, observers felt that as the Chief Minister’s meeting was held on Saturday evening, even after completion of deeksha he could have participated in it.
The main reason for his absence felt to be his strong `anti- Congress sentiments’, which prevented him from sharing a dais with Congress leaders. His close association with BJP, which has been treating Congress as its `main political opponent’ at the national level, also said to be a major reason for it.
From the day one of starting Jana Sena party before 2014 elections he has been mainly attacking Congress party. At his party’s major convention held on March 14, 2014 at Novotel Hotel, naer Hi-Tech city of Hyderabad, he has given a slogan `Congress Hatao- Desh Bachao’.
Since then, Pawan Kalyan is continuing his principal opposition towards the Congress party. When his brother Chiranjeevi merged Praja Rajyam Party and he became union minister, it may be recalled that Pawan Kalyan kept away from politics. He was known to oppose this merger move.
During last year’s Telangana assembly elections when TDP decided to kept away from contesting in the polls so that to benefit Congress, Jana Sena contested in 8 seats, in alliance with BJP. Though his party was defeated in all seats, his strong opposition to Congress reflects this stand.
