The heated political atmosphere surrounding the Janasena Jayaketanam Sabha refuses to settle, following controversial remarks by newly elected MLC and Janasena General Secretary Naga Babu. His statement dismissing any external contributions to Pawan Kalyan’s victory in Pithapuram—while implying that those who believe otherwise are simply delusional (karma)—has stirred intense discussions, particularly among TDP supporters.
For the first time, former MLA SVSN Varma, a key figure in Pawan Kalyan’s election success in Pithapuram, has broken his silence on the issue.
Pawan Kalyan had previously acknowledged Varma’s significant role in the campaign and assured that his efforts would not go unnoticed. Many expected him to be prioritized for a nominated post, with both CM Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan reportedly backing his appointment. However, despite the coalition being in power for nearly nine months, no such position has materialized for Varma. While various political and technical challenges have contributed to the delay, the recent allocation of five MLC seats saw Naga Babu securing the spot that many believed should have gone to Varma.
With TDP supporters already disappointed over Varma being sidelined, Naga Babu’s indirect remarks at the Janasena Jayaketanam Sabha only fueled their frustration. His comments quickly became a hot topic on social media, drawing sharp criticism from TDP’s online community. Many sympathized with Varma, feeling that his contributions had been unfairly downplayed.
After closely observing the unfolding situation, Varma finally addressed the controversy on Sunday. Without directly naming Naga Babu, his statement made his stance crystal clear:
“I am a dedicated soldier in CM Chandrababu Naidu’s army and will always follow my leader’s guidance. If anyone claims that my influence in Pithapuram has diminished, I see no need to justify myself. Holding a position or not makes no difference to me—I will always serve the people of Pithapuram with unwavering commitment. No one can intimidate me, and I am unaffected by others’ remarks.”
Though Varma avoided directly referring to Janasena or its leaders, political experts see his statement widely as a clear response to Naga Babu’s karma remark. Famous for his grassroots base in Pithapuram, Varma is a successful politician with a history of success, having even won as an independent candidate earlier.
Most in political circles think that overlooking his vital contribution to Pawan Kalyan’s electoral win is unfair and politically insensitive. As tensions build, the furore over Naga Babu’s comment remains a hot topic of discussion, further widening the chasm between Janasena and TDP followers.