Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan is being projected as the `future Chief Minister’ by his fans, particularly his community people. That’s why he was able to muster overwhelming support from some sections of people during last year’s elections, unlike in 2019.
After taking charge as Deputy Chief Minister with key ministries like Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Forests, expectations on his focus on governance started rising nonparallel. However, slowly his indifferent attitude towards his role in the government caused worry not only to the coalition partners, but also to his fans.
Many are surprised that he is taking cabinet meetings, assembly sessions and other crucial government functions very lightly. He is attending as he likes. Last month he was absent during the cabinet meeting stating ill-health, but soon after he was seen on a pilgrimage in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
During the recent budget session of the AP assembly, he attended for a few days only. During his absence in the assembly, several questions related to his key departments were forced to postpone. After skipping the assembly, he participated in the Jana Sena foundation day meeting held in Pithapuram.
More prominently his absence in the two-day collectors’ conference this week also surprised many. In this meeting, a seat was allotted for Deputy Chief Minister next to Chandrababu, but Pawan Kalyan did not come.
Moreover, Pawan Kalyan’s presence in his chamber in the Secretariat is also said to be minimal when compared to other ministers. Although Jana Sena sources say that he has back pain, he continues to attend his own programs.
There is also a debate as to whether Pawan Kalyan would have swayed so much in the Pithapuram assembly if he really had back pain? Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who often cautions ministers and senior officers, who are not seen alert in their duties, seems to be unable to react to the indifferent attitude of Pawan Kalyan.
Many supporters of Pawan Kalyan also felt it bad that his attitude may not send positive signals among people, who are looking towards him as the `future Chief Minister’. Unlike him, two other ministers from Jana Sena, Nadendla Manohar and Kandula Durgesh are seen active in their functioning.
