YSRCP party is currently inundated with several leaders and the party is almost in overflow condition. With many leaders defecting from TDP to YSRCP and a few more leaders expected to join YSRCP, one may expect YSR CP leadership to be very confident of winning the elections but it seems they are very much worried about Pawan Kalyan factor.
Is Pawan touring only in those areas where Jagan is strong?
YSR CP leaders are still targetting Pawan Kalyan and saying he is touring only those regions where YSRCP is strong and not touring the regions where TDP is strong. For example, they say, Pawan is focusing more on Andhra and north Andhra region where Kapu voters are anti-TDP and he is not focussing on Rayalaseema region where Balija voters are pro-TDP. So, they are deducing, Pawan Kalyan goal is only to ensure anti-TDP Kapu votes don’t go to Jagan and pro-TDP Balija votes not disturbed. YSRCP leaders are saying, if Pawan tours in Rayalaseema region where Balija voters are more, it would split their votes and there by damage TDP prospects.
It was surprising to see this kind of argument being put forward by not only YSRCP leaders, but also by many political analysts who support YSRCP. Even some media sections that are known for their bias towards Jagan also propogating the same idea.
Why such argument is baseless?
However, needless to say it’s myopic view on Janasena politics by some sections who believe there are and there should be only two leading groups in AP politics and any party by third group must support one of these two. The entire argument that Pawan touring only those areas where Jagan is strong itself is completely wrong. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP, in fact, got very less seats in coastal and north Andhra region in 2014. YSRCP got only 24 seats out of 101 seats in Coastal and North Andhra region put together and in remaining 74 seats of Rayalaseema plus Prakasham and Nellore region, YSRCP got more than 40 seats. So, in fact Pawan toured in the areas where TDP is strong and didn’t tour much in the areas of Rayalaseema which is considered forte of Jagan
Overall:
It seems, Pawan Kalyan is very clear on where to focus his energies. The simple logic is this. In 2014, he toured entire state but his effect was seen more in coastal and north Andhra region, which is evident from the results that the group he supported ( TDP and BJP) got in this area. Moreover, he has been concentrating on the constituencies where PRP has done well and Janasena has good chances of winning.