This ‘Gabbar Singh’ from Andhra wants to be Chief Minister

Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service
Gajuwaka (Vishakhapatnam), April 9

He believes in clean politics attempting to provide alternative to those who are disgruntled with politics and politicians. But cinestar-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan’s attempt to provide an alternate platform has few takers. Contesting in an alliance with the CPI and the CPM, his Jana Sena (people’s army) is finding it hard to make inroads anywhere in Andhra Pradesh, but is all set to upset several calculations with support of his fans.

With Jana Sena announcing it was entering the electoral fray, Andhra Pradesh was perceived to have got into a serious triangular contest. Initially, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congress, the other two parties were unsure about how this new entrant would impact their prospects. But over the last two weeks, it is becoming clear that the star following minus vote bank is not enough.

Realising the rules of the games, Kalyan who is best known for his film Telugu ‘Gabbar Singh’ is now banking on Kapu community to which he himself belongs. Unsure of his political bearing, he is contesting from two seats Gajuwaka (Visakhapatnam) and Bhjimavaram (West Godavari). Out of the entire contest, Gajuwaka appears to be the only hope for the party.

The 47-year-old actor is the youngest brother of popular actor and former Congress union minister Chiranjeevi. Belonging to Kapu community that comprises around 27 per cent states population as per the Justice Manjunath Commission, set up for recommending reservation for the caste. Given such large number of Kapus, the Jan Sena is hoping to capture an equal number of seats in the assembly.

“From starting to provide a clean administration, the Jana Sena has shifted its stand to seek votes on bases of caste. This may not prove to be a good strategy for the Jana Sena, but it will cetraily impact the outocme for the TDP and YSR Coongress”, says Ramesh Babu, a local party worker.

Gujuwaka, which has suddenly come into the limelight is the largest assembly constituency in the state with 3.09 lakh voters. That makes Kalyan’s task harder. He is facing a tough triangular contest with sitting TDP MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao and the YSRCP’s Tippala Nagi Reddy.

In the other constituency of Bhimavaram, Kalyan, a chief ministerial aspirant, is contesting against TDP candidate P Anjaneyulu, popularly known as Anji Babu and YSRCP candidate G Srinivas. Here too throwing ideology to the winds, he, as well as the other two, is banking on distinct vote banks in an electorate that is highly fragmented by caste equations. 

"Kalyan is attracting huge crowds, especially youth, as is YSR Congress chief Jagan Reddy, but only results will show how many come to see a cine star and what percentage of this translates into votes. Since, the youth comprise only around 7 per cent of the voters in Bhimavaram, it remains to be seen how the lack of luring through liquor and money impacts voting”, says Pheni Rao, a local voter.

There are others who will vote for him purely because they’re his ardent fans. After ‘Gabbar Singh’, ‘Sardar Gabbar Singh’, ‘Kushi’, ‘Jalsa’, ‘Gopala Gopala’, ‘Attarintiki Daredi’, etc. Vasant Reddy has not missed any of his movies.

“I watched most of his movies. He has promised to work for people. I believe what he says and I will support him," says Reddy.

Can his fan following alone put him in the category of “CM aspirants”? Not many think he will move up beyond the “also-ran” category.

“If this is the state of the party chief, what can one hope for from the other candidates? At the same time though Kalyan's campaign has not picked in last two days, but large number of fan keep hopes up,” feels Akram Khan, a sweet shop owner.