Jana Sena gears up for local body polls

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Jana Sena Party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has called upon party cadres to prepare for the upcoming local body elections, while asserting that the party would formulate a strategy different from the one adopted during the 2024 Assembly elections.

Addressing a meeting of the Jana Sena Legislative Party at the Assembly premises, Pawan Kalyan said the party would respect the fighting spirit and sacrifices of its Jana Sainiks and Veera Mahilas, particularly those who stood firm during the previous government despite political pressure and alleged attacks.

He said the party’s decision to contest only 21 Assembly seats in the 2024 elections was a specific strategy aimed at defeating the then ruling YSRCP and should not be treated as a template for the local elections. Local body elections, he said, would require constituency- and region-specific strategies based on local political and social equations. Pawan Kalyan directed party MLAs to assess the organizational strength of Jana Sena beyond their own constituencies and identify local body seats where the party has a realistic opportunity to contest effectively.

They have been asked to submit detailed reports to the party’s central office. The Jana Sena chief also announced the formation of a 9-11 member special committee, comprising MLAs and senior leaders, to frame the party’s guidelines and election strategy. The committee will take into account the views and concerns of grassroots workers before finalizing the approach. During the meeting, several MLAs reportedly raised concerns over inadequate political space for Jana Sena workers in some areas and alleged deviations from coalition co-ordination by some local leaders.

Pawan Kalyan said such feedback had reached him and assured that the cadre’s views would be considered while ensuring better political opportunities for them. He recalled the party’s performance during the 2021 local elections, when Jana Sena contested despite difficult circumstances, and said that spirit would guide the party in the forthcoming polls.