Telugu actor K Pawan Kalyan, who launched a Jana Sena Party last week, is trying to tie up with the BJP in Seemandhra and Telangana. Brother of Congress Union tourism minister K Chiranjeevi, Pawan said he would do everything that was required to wipe out the Congress in Seemandhra and is willing to tie-up with any party against the Congress.

The popular actor landed in New Delhi Tuesday to meet senior BJP leaders and has also sought an appointment with PM candidate Narendra Modi. Pawan Kalyan is unlikely to contest himself, but said his party would support suitable candidates of any party but the Congress.

A tie-up with the BJP can alter political equations in Seemandhra, as the Jana Sena Party may swing or break votes in several coastal constituencies, which would affect not only the Congress but also leading contenders YSR Congress Party and Telugu Desam Party.

“If the BJP and the TDP come to an understanding and the TDP receives support from Pawan Kalyan’s party in Seemandhra, then they will pose a formidable challenge,” analyst T Ravi says.

Pawan Kalyan has taken up the slogan ‘Congress hatao, desh bachao’ and gone into confrontation with his brother. In the 2009 elections, Pawan had campaigned for Chiranjeevi, who had launched Praja Rajyam Party then.

The differences that have cropped up between the brothers are apparently over Chiranjeevi’s decision to merge with the Congress. Irrespective of whether the BJP and the TDP stitch together an alliance, the TDP is wooing Pawan Kalyan as he is a huge hit among the youngsters. Sources said N Chandrababu Naidu is sending feelers to Pawan Kalyan asking him to join him.

Chiranjeevi, who was appointed the Congress campaign committee chairman last week, is likely to come across his brother in several constituencies where they will seek to woo the 17 per cent voters of the Kapu community to which they belong. The Congress is wary about Pawan’s ability to draw young voters and is hoping that Chiranjeevi’s charm will work against his.

Chiranjeevi has already visited some constituencies but will officially kick off his campaign in a special vehicle March 21.

Chiranjeevi said Tuesday that he and other Congress leaders would explain to people during their campaign as to what led to the Congress deciding to divide the state, and also the benefits that Seemandhra would get because of the bifurcation. Pawan Kumar, in contrast, will be campaigning against the Congress for dividing the state.

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