VIJAYAWADA: Asserting that Jana Sena was founded not for power but to bring about long-term social and political change, Deputy Chief Minister and JSP chief Pawan Kalyan on Friday said the party had emerged stronger after a decade of struggle, and is now expanding beyond Andhra Pradesh into several southern and western States.
Addressing the Jana Sena Udyami meeting, Pawan Kalyan said Jana Sena, which began its political journey in Telangana, has now extended its presence to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra with a membership of over 21.5 lakh.
Pawan Kalyan attributed the growing people’s support to the Jana Sena’s emphasis on national integration and patriotic values. “I did not establish Jana Sena with an ambition of becoming a Chief Minister.
I started this party with the thought of how society could be transformed. This success did not come in a single day. We endured humiliation and hardship for 10 years,” he said.
Referring to comparisons with regional leaders who quickly rose to power after launching political parties in neighbouring States, Pawan Kalyan said the political situation in Andhra Pradesh was completely different.
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He recalled that Jana Sena had contested independently in the 2019 elections and he himself got defeated from both constituencies he contested. “If I only wanted a position, I could have contested as an MP in 2008 itself. I even considered contesting from Malkajgiri in 2014. But building a political party is not about instant victories. One must understand the system and remain committed to an ideology,” he remarked.
Defending his alliance with Telugu Desam Party, Pawan Kalyan said the political developments following the arrest of former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu during the previous YSRCP regime forced him to take a crucial decision in the larger interests of the State.
“I felt Andhra Pradesh lacked unity and direction. There was uncertainty everywhere. I felt that if YSRCP retained power, people would not be able to live peacefully. For the stability of five crore people, we extended support to TDP, and together secured a strong mandate,” he said.
On Jana Sena’s ideological stand, he clarified that the party was neither strictly Left nor Right, but would adopt the positive aspects of both wings.
He also announced plans for a dispute resolution mechanism aimed at addressing public grievances.
Responding to criticism from YSRCP leaders over the Kapu community issue, he said Jana Sena was not formed for any single caste or region. “I did not come into politics only for Kapus. I came for all sections of society,” he asserted.
Pawan Kalyan also spoke on Sanatana Dharma, saying Indian culture had no insecurity towards other religions and that tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness.
“No one can destroy Sanatana Dharma,” he said, while urging Hindus to respect and uphold their traditions.