Competing Claims Within Jana Sena for Kakinada Mayor’s Post
Claimants from fishing, Setti Balija, and Padmashali communities are among key contenders
Kakinada: The selection of Jana Sena’s candidate for Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) mayor’s post has triggered an internal debate within the party, with caste equations, financial considerations, community representation and recognition of long-term party workers emerging as key factors.
With the mayor’s post reserved for a woman from backward classes (BCs), attention has turned to prospective candidates and the communities backing them. The selection is also being viewed as a test of Jana Sena chief and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan’s commitment to recognising dedicated party workers.
At the centre of the debate is Pesangi Adinarayana, a long-time supporter of Pawan Kalyan, who has been associated with the Deputy CM since the Praja Rajyam Party days. Adinarayana, however, does not hold any official position, though he is chairman of Super Bazaar. He is reportedly seeking the mayoral ticket for his wife Lakshmi, who leads Stri Swa Shakti.
Adinarayana belongs to the fishing community, which is said to account for more than 60,000 votes in Kakinada. His supporters believe his wife’s candidature would strengthen the party’s support base while recognising his long-standing loyalty.
Initially, there had been doubts about Adinarayana’s ability to meet the financial requirements of an election campaign. However, several people are now reportedly extending political and financial support to him.
Fishermen community leader Malladi Krishna Rao, a Puducherry minister and Yanam MLA, is said to be pressing the alliance to allot the ticket to Adinarayana’s wife. He is also reportedly prepared to provide financial assistance if required.
Adinarayana is said to have declined the offer, maintaining that he could meet the campaign expenses himself. His supporters are banking on Pawan Kalyan’s repeated assurances that dedicated party workers would be recognised for their commitment and there would be no injustice to them.
However, a section of the Jana Sena leaders and workers is reportedly backing a candidate from the Setti Balija community. Members of the Padmashali community have also begun pressing their claim. Kadali Eswari, a Setti Balija leader and Civil Supplies department director, is among the aspirants and is actively pursuing a JS ticket for the post.
Members of the Padmashali community contend that the cloth trade would support their candidate if the party awards the ticket to a community representative.
Kakinada MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao is said to favour Adinarayana. According to party sources, some leaders met the MLA, who indicated that Adinarayana would be his first choice.
