Pawan Kalyan in a bind over Chintamaneni’s dare

Vijayawada: Has Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan unwittingly pitted himself against a strong contender in the 2019 elections? His strong allegations of rowdyism against Denduluru MLA Chintamaneni Prabhakar made the latter retort sharply and challenge the Jana Sena chief to contest against him. Despite various controversies dogging him, Prabhakar does have a strong following in his constituency.

It is learnt Pawan Kalyan is keen on Eluru or any other constituency in West Godavari district. In the light of MLA's challenge, Pawan Kalyan is in a bind whether to accept the challenge and contest against him. He may do so, if the war of words is any indication. The issue is already a hot topic in political circles and it may assume more significance in near future.

Prabhakar won consecutively two times from Denduluru constituency in 2009 and 2014 elections. He is facing various controversies including Kolleru land and sand issues. The officials of Forest and Revenue departments also complained against him several times.

His aggressive character often landed him in many disputes. He questioned the then Irrigation Minister Vatti Vasanth Kumar on an open dais over some issue with his controversial attitude. The previous Congress government booked cases against him.

But he never changed his stand and always continued his activities in his own style. He fell out with the officials if they delayed redressing public grievances immediately, said one B Nagesh, an observer. 

The Jana Sena chief has been known for long to be interested in Eluru and Anantapur constituencies and, hence, his recent tour in West Godavari and attack on the TDP government and Chintamaneni. But, he would not have predicted such a strong challenge from Chintamaneni. Already TDP leaders like MLC Y Rajendra Prasad have asked Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan to face Prabhakar in Denduluru. 

A political analyst A Brahmaiah observes that should Pawan Kalyan contest from any seat in West Godavari, the TDP leaders up the ante so he would be forced to accept the gauntlet thrown at him by the Denduluru MLA. If it happens, it would be among keen contests that next elections would witness in the State.