When former IAS officer Jayaprakash Narayana founded the Loksatta party, he ignited the hopes and aspirations of many young individuals. As a political leader, however, he struggled to maintain the trust placed in him. His performance as an MLA of Kukatpalli failed to leave a lasting impression, ultimately leading to his defeat in the subsequent election. Gradually, JP shifted his focus away from the Loksatta Party and assumed the role of a political analyst.
Although his credibility waned compared to his initial days, he still commands a dedicated following of admirers who view him as a brilliant and remarkable individual. Many continue to value JP’s perspectives on contemporary political and social matters, regarding him as a neutral figure respected by society. While he has faced criticism for voicing support for parties in power, he is not perceived as a mere mouthpiece.
However, recent events have cast a shadow on his credibility. In a recent interview, JP openly aligned himself with the TRS/BRS party, which has held power in Telangana for a decade. During the interview with Telangana Minister KTR, he applauded the BRS regime and criticized the Congress party.
This move, particularly his unilateral praise of BRS while appearing alongside KTR, has drawn considerable backlash. Many neutral observers and admirers of JP found it difficult to reconcile with this overt political alignment. Netizens have vehemently criticized JP, questioning his status as a neutral intellectual. It remains to be seen whether this interview, which seemed somewhat coerced, will yield any benefits for the BRS party.