JSP leader and chairman of Srikakulam Urban Development Authority Korikana Ravikumar and his wife K. Bhavani with party president and deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangements
The year 2024 saw the emergence of the Janasena Party (JSP) as a new political force in North Andhra which ensured a strong foundation for party president and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan in the region.
In this year’s elections, the party won Palakonda assembly constituency in undivided Srikakulam district and Nellimarla assembly seat in Vizianagaram district. Nimmaka Jayakrishna won Palakonda seat while Lokam Madhavi was elected from Nellimarla.
The JSP has seen its support base grow in these two districts which have voted for the Congress, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for the past several decades.
After the Congress lost relevance in these districts in three consecutive general elections from 2014, the JSP gradually emerged as the third largest political force.
JSP contested all the seats in the 2019 elections but failed to register victory. However, in 2024, the party has established a strong foundation in the corners of both the districts. Now, JSP is identifying strong leaders in all districts to prepare for local body elections.
Major nominated posts
As part of its strategy, it successfully bargained for key nominated posts, as it got only two assembly constituencies in the region as part of a seat-sharing deal with its alliance partners TDP and BJP in the 2024 elections.
Now, JSP leader Korikana Ravikumar has been made the Chairperson of Srikakulam Urban Development Authority. Andhra Pradesh Turupu Kapu Welfare and Development Corporation Chairman Palavalsa Yasavi has been appointed.
Mr. Ravikumar’s selection is seen as a major decision as his political strategy ensured the party’s victory in the Palakonda seat. “JSP is strengthening its vote bank in all mandals because people are happy with our president and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan. He has the best vision for the development of North Andhra region,” he said.
Mr. Ravikumar’s wife K. Bhavani is said to be strengthening the party in Pathapatnam and other parts of Srikakulam district.
Core vote bank
Asserting that JSP’s core vote bank is among the youth, JSP Srikakulam district president Pisini Chandramohan said that they are very optimistic about the upcoming local body elections.
JSP has also gained momentum in Vizianagaram district. YSRCP senior leaders Avanapu Vikram and Avanapu Bhavana, former president of the Vizianagaram District Marketing Committee, joined the party. Ishwar Rao, the former mayor of Jarajpu, has also joined the JSP recently.
“The year 2024 was a turning point for JSP in the region. Mr. Pawan Kalyan’s ideology and vision for rapid development of Vizianagaram district made many leaders like me join JSP. The party will remain as a strong political force in the upcoming elections,’ said Mr. Vikram.
JSP is keen to maintain a healthy relationship with alliance partners TDP and BJP while focusing on its own development.
“The Congress and the Left parties used to play an important political role in this region. The JSP has now occupied that space in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts,” said Midatana Ravikumar, a senior JSP leader who was recently appointed director of the Koppula Velama Corporation.
published – December 19, 2024 at 07:41 am IST