Rangarajan: Time for 'Power Play'

Rangarajan: Time for 'Power Play': Time for 'Power' Play...! Pawan Kalyan, the 'Power Star' of Telugu tinsel town would not have imagined in his wildes...

Time for 'Power Play'

Time for 'Power' Play...!

Pawan Kalyan, the 'Power Star' of Telugu tinsel town would not have imagined in his wildest of dreams that he would make his political foray immediately after the state's bifurcation and address the public ahead of the general elections.

In spite of whether he was nurturing political ambitions or not since many years, state bifurcation set the stage  for his entry, going by his power-packed, yet so-so, address on Friday.  In fact, the state's haphazard division, leaving all the stakeholders finding themselves in a 'lose-lose' situation, was a perfect disaster recipe for the entry of as many aspirants into the poll arena. No, there is no reference whatsoever here to the Jai Samaikyandhra Party of Nallari Kirankumar Reddy, who conveniently dozed off after the impressive public meeting at Rajahmundry, failing to cash in on the initial euphoria.

This is all about the 'Jana Sena' party launched by Pawan Kalyan. By spreading the newly-coined word 'Pawanism' well in advance, the actor cleverly sent feelers among his fans, community and well-wishers that something is seriously in store. If we go back five to six years, we can recollect instances where Pawan's social consciousness surfaced in the form of his expression of agony and fight for a cause. At least, unlike Chiranjeevi who spoke of 'Samajika Nyayam' only before the launch of his party, Pawan dwelt on key issues much much before. Concern is okay, which can be channelised into action by launching a voluntary organisation or supporting a charitable institution. But choosing a political platform, in the garb of social service, is a dangerous game and a 'One Way Entry', where running away is hardly an option. His social concern notwithstanding, he was never reckoned a serious player in the political game, nor would he have considered himself one. Chiranjeevi set us a good example of how to launch a party and a still-good example of how not to bring down the curtains on it.

Whatever is about Pawanism and his seriousness on politics, Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party episode will continue to cast a shadow on the junior Konidella. His much-hyped announcements, policy statements made with 'punch' dialogues and future goals will all be taken with a pinch of salt. Already, people are commenting his entry as 'Anna poyi Thammudu vache daam daam daam...', a colloquial saying that indicates that one has gone and the other has come, nothing serious about it....

From whose bow has this 'Pawan' arrow emerged was another question pondered over by many. On the face of it, his 'Congress Hatao' indicated his hatred for Congress. But, not all could attribute his move immediately to the TDP, as Congress is known for playing such mind games. By helping Chiranjeevi launch Praja Rajyam as the 'main opponent' to the incumbent Congress, it engineered a split in the anti-Congress votes that would have otherwise gone to the TDP in 2009. And now the DNA Party. Little does one doubt on whose gene the YSR Congress has inherited...!

And now the Pawan factor. Why not Pawan be another arrow from the Congress bow. The doubt did not persist for long and it was evident sooner than later that it, in fact, was waiting for long in the TDP's quiver. If the alliance materialises, Pawan is expected to wean away 'youth votes' from Jagan's kitty and also help consolidate Kapu/Balija votes in favour of the TDP. In one way, it is now Chandrababu's turn to enact a YSR of 2009...!

Only time will tell if it is 'Anukoola Pawan' or not...!