RS berth reward for Pawan?
Is Prime Minister- designate Narendra Modi planning to reward Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan with a Rajya Sabha berth for his contribution to the victory of the TDP and the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls in Andhra Pradesh?
Speculation is rife in political circles in the national capital that Mr Modi and the BJP would show their gratitude to Mr Kalyan by sending him to the Upper House on a BJP ticket.
Mr Kalyan, the brother of legendary Telugu actor and Congress MP Chiranjeevi, launched his own party the Jana Sena on the eve of the high- stakes elections but opted out of the contest on the request of Mr Modi and TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and campaigned extensively for the alliance.
Sources told this newspaper that there is a high possibility that Mr Kalyan be rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat for his hard work in Andhra Pradesh. Mr Kalyan had also addressed joint rallies with Mr Modi and Mr Naidu in both Telangana and Seemandhra regions.
The sources said Mr Modi recognises the crucial role played by Mr Kalyan in the victory of the TDP- BJP alliance and wants to use his services in the future as well. Mr Kalyan’s campaign also brought the support of the influential Kapu community to which the actor belongs.
The Kapu community has a vote share of around 18 per cent in Andhra Pradesh.
The sources said Mr Modi would accommodate him by offering a Rajya Sabha seat in the coming months. Speculation is also rife whether Mr Kalyan would be brought to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka where elections to four seats would be held next month. However, BJP leaders were tightlipped about this possibility.