Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Pawan welfare recently announced that their people’s army Party (JSP) will contest elections in 2028 Telangana The assembly elections have sparked considerable political debate in both the Telugu speaking states.At first glance, the actor-politician’s announcement appears to be a routine expression of electoral ambition. However, leaders from Telangana, especially Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), have questioned both the timing and implications of his comments.The ensuing war of words has brought to the surface unresolved political and emotional fault lines that continue to influence public discourse more than a decade after the creation of Telangana through the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.Beyond rhetoric, the debate raises important political questions: Can “Power Star” successfully establish a meaningful presence for the Jana Sena in Telangana? And does he risk angering his ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in achieving that goal?
Pawan Kalyan: From ‘Power Star’ to Deputy CM
Pawan Kalyan did not start his political journey from Janasena. He entered politics in 2008 through the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), founded by his elder brother and fellow film star Chiranjeevi. After the PRP merged with the Congress in 2011, Kalyan stepped away from active politics before launching the JSP in March 2014.Kalyan formally formed an alliance with the BJP in January 2020. Nevertheless, electoral success remained elusive until April 2024, when the alliance of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), JSP and BJP came to power in Andhra Pradesh. He was later appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the government led by TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu.Therefore, his Telangana announcement comes at perhaps the strongest point in his political career, backed by electoral success and a role in the government.
The announcement that sparked controversy
On June 2, marking the 12th anniversary of the formation of Telangana, Kalyan formally announced the re-entry of the Jana Sena into state politics. He said that JSP will contest the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections to be held later this year as well as the Telangana Assembly elections to be held by the end of 2028.And then came the comment that created a political storm. Responding to critics who questioned his efforts to play an active role in Telangana politics, he asked whether Telangana is the property of a select few.Facing mounting opposition, the 54-year-old leader later issued a clarification, insisting that his comments were misinterpreted.However, by then the controversy had gained momentum, with political opponents highlighting his remarks and questioning his understanding of the political sensitivities of Telangana and his party’s ambitions in the state.
Declining BRS, stagnant BJP: Way out for Pawan Kalyan and Jana Sena in Telangana?
According to Kalyan, the decision was inspired by repeated appeals from JSP leaders and supporters in Telangana, who he claimed had repeatedly urged him to expand the party in the state.But beyond these internal demands, the emerging political scenario of Telangana presents a strategic opportunity for the JSP. Political observers believe that Kalyan may be looking to capture the political space created by the weakening of BRS and the failure of the BJP to establish itself as a major force.The BRS, founded as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) by K. Chandrasekhar Rao, a key leader of the Telangana statehood movement and the state’s first Chief Minister, has weakened significantly after losing power in the November 2023 elections.Although not officially retired, Rao has largely stayed away from public life since the defeat. Adding to BRS’s troubles, his daughter K Kavitha recently broke away ties and launched her own organisation: Telangana Raksha Sena.The BJP has also struggled to take advantage of BRS’s decline. Signs of internal strife emerged in December 2025, when Telangana BJP president N Ramachander Rao visited Delhi to meet the top leadership amid reports of factionalism within the state unit. The visit comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of BJP MPs and MLAs from Telangana.The BJP’s electoral performance has also failed to match its ambitions. In the Jubilee Hills by-election held in November last year, it finished third by securing over 17,000 votes and less than 9% vote share. This marks a decline from the 2023 assembly elections, when the party again finished third but got around 26,000 votes and around 14% vote share.The result reinforced the perception that the BJP’s growth in Telangana has slowed, potentially creating political space for alternative challengers like the JSP.
What is Pawan Kalyan doing for them in Telangana
An electoral start in itself does not guarantee success. However, the Jana Sena chief has several advantages, ranging from his popularity to existing support networks built over years of cultural and political engagement.For example, unlike many politicians attempting to expand into a new state, Kalyan is no stranger to Telangana. Born in unified Andhra Pradesh, he shares linguistic and cultural ties with people from both sides of the divide.His years in public life – first as a film star and later as a politician – have helped him garner a support base that extends to Hyderabad and other urban centers in Telangana. More importantly, he comes not just as a celebrity politician but as a serving Deputy Chief Minister with experience of administrative responsibilities and governance.The Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM is also a prominent and vocal supporter of Sanatana Dharma, often describing himself as an “unquestioning Sanatani Hindu”. A frequent visitor to the Tirumala Tirupati temple, his deep emphasis on Sanatana Dharma may appeal to a significant portion of Telangana’s predominantly Hindu population, which accounts for about 85% of the state’s residents.Overall, these factors give welfare a degree of visibility and familiarity that few ambitious political players can match. It remains to be seen whether this translates into electoral success, but it helps explain why the Jana Sena may be able to carve out a place for itself in Telangana’s emerging political landscape.
Challenges for Pawan Kalyan in Telangana
Yet, despite all the gains Kalyan has received, Telangana is unlikely to be an easy political terrain.As the controversy over his comments shows, Telangana politics is deeply influenced by the legacy of the statehood movement. More than a decade after Partition, parties are taking advantage of its emotional and political resonance. Against this backdrop, his comments could complicate Jana Sena’s efforts to broaden its appeal in the state.An equally important factor is its limited organizational footprint in Telangana. Despite enjoying both visibility and support, the JSP has yet to translate it into meaningful electoral success in the state.The party will also have to contend with a well-entrenched Congress while competing with BRS, BJP and AIMIM for political space in an already crowded electoral landscape.JSP’s Telangana bid may also test its relations with the BJP. Kalyan has close ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the BJP has long viewed Telangana as a key expansion state. Therefore, he may be reluctant to see an ally compete for the same political space.Another challenge is JSP’s dependence on Kalyan as its sole key face. He has responsibilities as Deputy Chief Minister in Andhra Pradesh and remains active as an actor. Since his time is divided between governance, politics and films, it may be difficult for him to give sustained attention to building the party in Telangana.
Way forward for Pawan Kalyan
As Deputy Chief Minister, leader of a major regional party and an ally of the country’s ruling party, Pawan Kalyan holds a prominent position in Indian politics. Successful expansion into another state would transform Jana Sena from an Andhra Pradesh-centric organization into a true cross-border regional force.The immediate challenge for JSP in Telangana will be the Hyderabad civic elections. A strong performance will give an early indication of the party’s prospects in the state and serve as a springboard for bigger electoral battles ahead. Conversely, a poor performance may force Jana Sena back to the drawing board in Telangana.For now, Telangana offers both an opportunity and a test to the Jana Sena – one that could determine whether the party will remain confined to Andhra Pradesh or emerge as a force to be reckoned with in both the Telugu-speaking states.
