Pawan Kalyan seeks Jana Sena representation in local body polls

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has called for ‘adequate representation’ for the Jana Sena Party in upcoming local body elections. Speaking at the launch of the ‘Adavitalli Bata 2.0’ programme, Kalyan emphasized that party cadres, or ‘Janasainiks’, made significant sacrifices to ensure the success of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during the 2024 general elections.

In a separate development, Pawan Kalyan and two Jana Sena ministers, Nadendla Manohar and Kandula Durgesh, were absent from a critical Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The meeting focused on establishing an alternative reservation framework for Backward Classes (BC) following a Supreme Court ruling regarding local body election quotas.

Jana Sena sources stated the absence was not intentional, citing prior commitments and unavoidable circumstances. They noted that Minister Kandula Durgesh was in Spain for tourism promotion, while Kalyan and Manohar were reportedly away for religious rituals. Party representatives maintained that the absence does not indicate internal friction within the ruling coalition.