YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders had made fun of Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan for years, saying that he did not have a dedicated political constituency in Andhra Pradesh. Even Pawan himself had publicly stated that he always felt the whole state was his and never limited himself to one constituency. But all this changed with the 2024 elections. By fighting from Pithapuram, Pawan Kalyan not only won convincingly with an overwhelming majority of more than 70,000 votes but also made the town his political fortress.
His supporters went on the rampage, with huge bike rallies on the roads, brandishing banners emblazoned with “Pawan Kalyan – Our MLA.” The slogan “Pawan Kalyan, Care of Pithapuram” is now a identity declaration among his people.
One of the most important reasons for Pawan’s victory in the elections is the large concentration of his community in Pithapuram, and their unshakable loyalty. From the very start, he had suggested that if at all he contested from a place, it would be Pithapuram. This was again asserted recently by Jana Sena’s veteran leader, Nadendla Manohar, when he made a strong political assertion that is now generating heated debates.
“Pithapuram is Pawan Kalyan’s home turf. Who else can challenge him here?” Manohar declared, emphasizing Pawan’s stronghold over the constituency. He further announced that the much-anticipated Jana Sena Plenary will be held in Pithapuram on the 14th of this month as a token of gratitude to the people who stood by their leader.
The upcoming plenary is expected to draw thousands of Jana Sena supporters from across the state. Manohar pointed out that in just nine months as MLA and Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan has initiated several key development projects in Pithapuram. He assured that Pawan remains committed to the town’s growth and will continue to prioritize its welfare.
During the 2024 elections, speculations surfaced that senior TDP leader and former MLA Varma had stepped aside to ensure Pawan’s victory from Pithapuram. Now, it is evident that Pawan Kalyan sees Pithapuram as his long-term political base. Reports suggest that he is even constructing a residence there, further cementing his commitment to the town.
With this, political analysts believe that anyone aiming to contest from Pithapuram in the future will have no choice but to directly challenge Pawan Kalyan. While YSRCP may continue to field candidates, within the TDP-Jana Sena alliance, Pawan remains the undisputed leader of the region.
With Nadendla Manohar’s strong assertion, one thing is clear—Pitapuram is no longer just another constituency; it is Pawan Kalyan’s political headquarters.
