Janasena’s chief Pawan Kalyan, who has begun his tour of South India from Chennai, plans to bring together smaller parties to strengthen their bargaining power in national politics. This is his first such initiative outside Andhra Pradesh after starting the party in 2014.
South India is getting a step-motherly treatment in the hands of North Indian politicians. The bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was a good example, as the sentiment of the people was not taken into account. “We need to change this situation; South India needs to have a greater say in national politics,” he told newspersons. “I want a capital to be created in the South as was envisaged by BR Ambedkar,” he said, adding that people could decide on the city. During 2014 elections, Kalyan campaigned for the united front of Telugu Desam Party and the BJP. However, today, he is a strong critic of both, saying that he would never align with them.
“I am not here to create a divide between North and South India; my vision is to form a collective force to take on the northern heavyweights. I feel it is going to be a coalition government in the Centre and smaller parties should have a larger say in national politics. I will soon meet leaders of like-minded parties in the South to chalk out the future strategy. However, today I am here to meet the media and my fans,” he said.
After Chennai, Kalyan plans to visit other southern States to spread his vision.