Jana Sena Vs Shiv Sena: Who's more powerful?

Social media is galore with comments and opinions on Pawan Kalyan’s debut with the political alley with his party Jana Sena. Film maker Ram Gopal Varma, who is known for his blunt comments, tweeted, “Janasena kanna goppa peru oka partyki vunde avakaashame ledu…shivsena kanna 1000 retlu better…perulone inthunte party lo entuntudo.”

Vague as the comparison may seem, it was food for thought for many. It set a few people wondering why he made such a weird comparison while the others were busy analyzing what could possibly similar between the two parties.

It goes like this. Bal Thackeray started Shiv Sena and quickly took up the emotive issue of Marathi pride which roused the demand for a separate State for Marathis. This was very akin to how KCR played identity politics by launching TRS and as a result, rousing the Telangana sentiment.

Bal Thackeray, soon after the launch of his party, began to propagate Marathi Manus (Marathi pride) and pitted that against the South Indians and non-Marathis residing in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena, later, took on a communal undertone as Thackeray drove religious emotions playing the Hindutva card. Therefore, on second thoughts, the comparison is not that uncalled for after all, with Pawan Kalyan also stressing on ‘Telugu Pride’ just the way Shiv Sena has been playing identity politics (read: Marathi Manus card) in Maharashtra.

Interestingly, earlier legendary actor NTR paved his way to the hearts of people of the State in a similar manner with his emotionally charged frank speeches. Besides, Pawan is being increasingly seen as an angry young man just like Bal Thackeray was. However, while Bal Thackeray fought for Marathis and separate state, it remains to be seen what strategy Pawan uses to play his cards.

While Shiv Sena has a sheer Marathi appeal, Pawan intends to make an impact in both Telangana and Andhra. Many wonder how Pawan walk this path of appeasing both the regions in today times, when they have both become inherently opposed to each other in terms of aspirations and needs. How can the actor-turned-politicians appeal to people of both the regions at an emotional level, especially at a time when most political parties are busy trying to choose which side they must belong to?

Pawan Kalyan’s brother Chiranjeevi meekly merged his party Praja Rajyam with Congress soon after its much-hyped launch. There are many who suspect (or fear) that Pawan Kalyan may go down the same route.