A new power centre in Kerala & why Vijaysai Reddy praised Pawan Kalyan | Powertrip #83

Welcome to this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter exclusively curated for TNM and NL subscribers by Dhanya Rajendran, Shabbir Ahmed, Pooja Prasanna, and Nidheesh MK. We found out that with the Maharashtra election loss sparking tensions within the INDIA bloc, there are renewed speculations about a change in the alliance leadership. In Andhra, YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy’s tweets praising rival Pawan Kalyan have raised eyebrows; but could it be a calculated move, we asked sources. Apart from Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan, there is one person guiding the Kerala Secretariat, a person who has influence even with the CM. The Shiv Sena (UBT) after its election drubbing in Maharashtra seems to be back to basics – Hindutva and Marathi pride..Inside TrackExclusive stories, for your eyes only EVM controversy and INDIA bloc tensions: A leadership testNCP leader Sharad Pawar is hosting a meeting at his Delhi residence this week to discuss EVMs, with AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal expected to attend. The focus isn’t just on analysing what went wrong in the Maharashtra elections but also on planning for the Delhi polls scheduled for next year. Abhishek Manu Singhvi is expected to join the discussion, possibly to explore legal options. Interestingly, there’s no confirmation yet about Congress attending. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee and Pawar are set to meet on December 11.The Maharashtra loss has sparked tensions within the INDIA bloc, with some allies pointing fingers at the Congress. This has reopened the question of whether the alliance leadership should be re-evaluated, with a few even suggesting Mamata Banerjee as a potential alternative. This has already been endorsed by Shiv Sena (UBT) and Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal. Congress’ reluctance to actively address the EVM issue has only added to the strain, further frustrating their partners in the alliance. What’s behind Vijaysai Reddy’s praise for Pawan Kalyan?YSRCP MP and spokesperson Vijaysai Reddy has left many people surprised with his recent tweets praising Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan while taking digs at CM Chandrababu Naidu. It’s unexpected, especially considering the history of verbal sparring—and even personal attacks—between Jagan and Pawan. Though Reddy insists these comments are his personal opinion and not the party’s official stance, it’s hard to ignore the fact that he’s one of YSRCP’s most prominent faces. Naturally, the repeated tweets have raised questions about his intentions.Sources say Reddy isn’t planning to jump ship and join Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena. Instead, these tweets seem to have two possible goals. One, to create confusion and stir up a rift between Jana Sena and TDP, especially among their grassroots supporters. But more likely, it’s a strategic distraction to dominate the headlines and shift focus away from the corruption allegations dogging YSRCP right now. Either way, it’s a calculated move and people are taking notice. A new power centre in Kerala?Sarada Muraleedharan, who took over as the Kerala Chief Secretary in August 2024, is known to be a no-frills and by-the-book bureaucrat who is not an authoritative figure. And it seems other than the CS if there is one person who is also guiding the system outside the formal corridors of power, it’s KM Abraham—former board member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)—whose counsel the Chief Minister reportedly values above all else.Abraham’s reputation precedes him. He gained national attention for taking on the Sahara Group during his SEBI days, resisting what insiders said were massive financial inducements to soften his scrutiny. Instead, he stayed the course, establishing a legacy of incorruptibility and fearlessness that has made him a revered, if intimidating, figure to many who must pass beneath his stern gaze today.Sources say it’s not just a one-off decision that’s put Abraham at the center of Kerala’s power web. From major infrastructure investments to the reshuffling of critical government personnel—and yes, the recent Prasanth IAS episode, initially pinned on the Chief Secretary but allegedly masterminded by the CM on Abraham’s advice—the Chief Minister now leans on Abraham for many critical calls. Shiv Sena (UBT)’s reset: Babri and BelagaviShiv Sena (UBT) seems to be hitting the reset button after its dismal performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. A source in the party revealed that they’re pivoting back to basics, focusing on their core ideologies of Hindutva and Marathi pride—pillars the party was built on. The experiment of aligning with Congress and NCP appears to have disoriented both voters and party workers. In a sign of this strategic shift, Milind Narvekar, Uddhav Thackeray’s close aide and MLC, tweeted a provocative creative on December 6, claiming credit for the Babri demolition. It’s evident that reclaiming Hindutva is high on their agenda.Simultaneously, Shiv Sena (UBT) has decided to double down on the Belagavi border issue, even at the cost of clashing with the Congress government in Karnataka. Aaditya Thackeray stirred the pot by demanding that Belagavi, a city on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, be declared a Union Territory. He argued that the Marathi-speaking population in the region faces discrimination. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the demand as “childish,” but the drama didn’t stop there. Karnataka police blocked Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders from crossing the state border to attend a Marathi conclave in Belagavi. Furious, Aaditya criticised the Karnataka government for denying permission to the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) conference and for imposing a curfew in the city. 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