Popular actor, politician, the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) architect in Andhra Pradesh, and, of late, the “voice” of Sanatana Dharma. Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s political career has been on the upswing for the past few months and with his party finding its feet in the state’s political landscape, he is now said to be looking to expand his horizon and trying to raise his profile nationally. Because of his aggressive Hindutva push and perceived closeness to the BJP leadership, Kalyan was entrusted with campaigning in Maharashtra, where he drew massive crowds in places such as Latur and Nanded. As the ruling Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP cruised to an emphatic win, the “Power Star”, as Kalyan is fondly referred to by his fans, visited Delhi on a whirlwind tour on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers. “From the matters that he discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers, and the issues he brought up during media interactions, it is clear he wants to play an important role not just in Andhra but represent the state nationally,” said a JSP leader, adding that more visits to Delhi were in the offing. According to a statement from Kalyan’s office, the Deputy CM discussed the Andhra Pradesh Rural Roads Project with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and key challenges in implementing the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission with Union Water Resources Minister C R Patil. “Kalyan told Patil that a grant of Rs 70,000 crore was required to ensure safe and sustainable drinking water supply for all rural households,” read the statement. Kalyan discussed matters of rail connectivity in Andhra Pradesh with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and “key issues” related to rural development with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Kalyan took to social media to praise Modi after their meeting. “From my first meeting in Gandhinagar till this meeting, it was always filled with warmth and I always leave the meeting with admiration for him and his commitment and love for Bharat is truly inspiring,” he wrote on X. Sources said the meeting lasted 30 minutes and the two leaders discussed the Jal Jeevan Mission. When in the Opposition in the state, Kalyan often accused the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party government of ignoring Andhra’s water needs. While Kalyan met a host of Union ministers, his meetings with Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh and the dinner he hosted for NDA allies from Andhra caught the eye of many. JSP leaders said the last two events helped mitigate any doubts, if any, about his closeness to the BJP leadership. “Kalyan has shared a warm relationship with Santhosh, who has repeatedly referred to him as an important figure in Andhra politics,” a JSP leader said. Ahead of the simultaneous polls in Andhra, Kalyan aggressively worked to bring the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the BJP together, and Santhosh was reportedly a part of many such meetings. During his media interaction, the Deputy CM weighed in on the arrest of a Hindu priest in Bangladesh. “I certainly condemn what is happening in Bangladesh,” said the Deputy CM. “While the happenings in Palestine bring out responses from the Old City area of Hyderabad, why should there be no statements on what is happening in Bangladesh, where Hindus are being persecuted?” The JSP chief has positioned himself as a defender of “Sanatana Dharma” since the Tirupati laddu controversy broke out in September when he urged the Centre to constitute a “Sanatana Dharma Protection Board”. In October, he proclaimed that he would lay down his life to protect “Sanatana Dharma”. On the “sensitive matter” of industrialist Gautam Adani’s indictment for allegedly a top-level government official in Andhra Pradesh in return for solar power contracts, Kalyan seemed to tow the BJP’s line. Even as ally TDP has raised the heat on Jagan over the issue, urging Jagan to reveal details of his meeting with the industrialist, the Deputy CM said: “Action needs to be taken if bribes were given. But we do not know whether these allegations are part of an international conspiracy. The issue needs to be viewed from multiple angles.”
