Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan, who contested the elections from two Assembly constituencies in Andhra, has lost both the seats. At the time of publishing, Pawan garnered 62,285 votes in Bhimavaram, losing to YSRCP’s Grandhi Srinivas who got 70,642 votes. Pawan also trailed in Gajuwaka, losing out to YSRCP’s Nagireddy Tippala by 16,486 votes. Though the Jana Sena had promised a new kind of politics and Pawan Kalyan had focused his campaign mainly on the Godavari region, campaigning there extensively, the party could not make a mark in any seat.
After the results were announced, Pawan said to the media on Thursday, “Jana Sena was started with the idea of new age politics. Our politics were clean. Though I've lost in two constituencies, and none of our people have won, I will stay in politics till my last breath, fight for people's issues and stand by them.” Pawan also thanked all his voters, and congratulated the YSRCP and YS Jagan on their victory.
This is the first time the actor-turned-politician was contesting elections. Pawan was expected to gain the Kapu vote in both constituencies, and the party had also hoped that he would win over the young voters. The party’s general body had reportedly surveyed the entire state and assessed these two seats as the best for Pawan. It was also expected that Pawan Kalyan would win some of the anti-incumbency votes against the Naidu government. But from the results it is evident that only one party has gained from anti-incumbency and that is the YRSCP.
In a meeting held earlier this month with party leaders to review the JSP’s prospects, Pawan had urged the party leaders to continue working towards strengthening the organisation, regardless of how the party ended up faring in the elections.
The JSP contested the elections in an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) along with the CPI and CPI(M). BSP chief Mayawati had campaigned for Pawan’s party in the state, before polling took place on April 11.
In a total of 175 Assembly seats, JSP contested 140, with the BSP contesting 21, and CPI and CPI(M) contesting 7 seats each. Out of 25 Lok Sabha seats, JSP fielded candidates in 18 constituencies, BSP in 3, and CPI and CPI(M) contested 2 seats each. Back in 2014, JSP had supported the BJP-TDP alliance.