TDP, Jana Sena to hold first JAC meeting on Dasara eve

In a major political development, the joint action committee meeting of the Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena parties to discuss political issues and poll alliances between the two would be held on Monday, Oct 23, in Rajahmundry.

The meeting assumes significance in the wake of heightened political activity in Andhra Pradesh after the arrest of TDP chief and former chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in connection with alleged ₹371 crore Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam.

According to TD and JS leaders, the meeting would be jointly chaired by TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan from 2pm.The agenda includes discussions on a joint action plan for addressing public issues, the latest political developments, and coordination between the two parties.The names of leaders who would participate in the meeting have already been announced.

The decision to hold this meeting in Rajahmundry, during Dasara, was taken due to the presence of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu in the central prison.On 14 September, in a surprise announcement, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan said his party was forming an alliance with the TDP to fight against the ruling YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh in next Assembly elections in 2024.

He made the announcement after meeting with Naidu in prison during mulakath.He also exuded confidence that BJP would join the alliance, although the saffron party has not said anything on this count for over month now.Since the announcement, Pawan Kalyan has intensified his attacks on the ruling YSRCP of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.Although the two parties have been in talks over striking an alliance since the beginning of the year, with Naidu and Pawan Kalyan meeting twice, no formal announcement had been made till 14 September.

Pawan Kalyan has long been advocating an alliance of all Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh, including the BJP, to challenge the YSRCP regime.The BJP, once an ally of the TDP, is not too keen on alliance with the “yellow party” as it does not consider Naidu to be a stable ally, even though he has forgotten bygones and reached out to the saffron party.