In the 2019 elections, Jana Sena Party contested in 146 Assembly constituencies, while allocating the remaining seats to Communist parties and the BSP. However, the party suffered a major setback, securing only one seat. To add to their woes, the elected MLA eventually defected and aligned with the ruling YCP party.
Despite the defeat, Jana Sena managed to garner a notable vote share of 7.5 percent, a significant achievement given the prevailing wave of support for the YCP during the 2019 elections. Political analysts have regarded this percentage as a substantial number considering the circumstances.
Over the past four years, Jana Sena, under the leadership of Pawan Kalyan, has been vocal in opposing the policies of the YCP government. The party actively supported tenant farmers and advocated for the rights of marginalized communities such as SCs and STs. Pawan Kalyan took a proactive role in leading protests against various issues. Additionally, he sought to establish a connection with the influential Kapu community, a significant vote bank in Andhra Pradesh. As a result, several surveys have indicated an upward trend for Jana Sena.
Independent organizations conducted surveys in Andhra Pradesh, and Jana Sena’s increasing vote share was prominently noted. The surveys indicated a favorable inclination among the salaried class and the middle class to support Jana Sena. Furthermore, the party has garnered support from the youth who recently became eligible to vote or who had not previously cast their votes. Pawan Kalyan’s charisma and his commitment to good governance have been influential factors in attracting this support.
The cumulative analysis of these surveys suggests that Jana Sena’s vote share is likely to witness growth compared to its previous electoral attempt. When combined with the outcomes of the previous election, the estimated vote share might perhaps approach double digits, roughly 10%. There is still time for advancement because the elections are still a few months away, which would be helpful for Pawan Kalyan and his party. This positive trend, coupled with the existing anti-incumbency sentiment against the YCP government, presents an encouraging prospect for Jana Sena’s electoral prospects.