Speculation is rife in political circles over the likely impact of Pawan Kalyan’s decision not to tie up with either Jaganmohan Reddy or Chandrababu Naidu. It is yet to be tested to what extent popularity of Pawan among his young fans and Kapu community will translate into votes on the polling day. But surely analysts believe the actor-turned-politician will have such an impact that will change the winning chances of TDP and YSRCP candidates in most segments.
If Pawan contests separately, it is the YCP which is going to suffer heavily as Jaganmohan Reddy will have to depend heavily on the dalit vote bank in coastal AP right from Prakasam district to Srikakulam. But this dalit vote bank belongs traditionally to the Congress party and it is vulnerable due to money and other influences. Already, the dalits have once given their vote to YCP in 2014 to a large extent but BCs, Kapus and Kammas stood solidly behind the TDP.
The TDP is confident that the BCs, Kammas and a section of Kapus are favouring it in the coming election. The party is making every effort to split the dalit vote by attracting dalit leaders to its side. The Congress is also trying to win back dalits but political atmosphere is not its favour at all. With Pawan sticking to his stand, the TDP and YCP may change their electoral strategies and get prepared for political manoeuvrings if the election results throw up a hung assembly.
