There has been a mega meltdown among Jana Sena Party supporters on social media. This is worrying, considering that the young party has been strong (if at all) only on social media. On the ground, it has no staunch support base, especially among those who are above the age of 35. Even on social media, the support base was propped up for years by fake accounts. Most of Pawan Kalyan's social media supporters don't have even a half-decent political sense.
On Saturday, as we all know, the TDP and its alliance partner JSP announced the first list of 118 candidates. The former got 94 and the latter got 24 Assembly Constituencies. The second list is expected to be a duck for JSP.
This has caused unprecedented frustration among Jana Sainiks. Observers say that what has unfolded on social media since yesterday is the biggest setback in Pawan Kalyan's political career. The breakdown is so enormous that Pawan would start worrying if he had any wisdom.
Without an iota of doubt, the chief of JSP has shot himself in the foot. He barely understands the psychology of his supporters. Or, for that matter, of the public in general. The current bout of exasperation displayed by his supporters is something he could not have predicted owing to his part-time political journey.
Some things are non-negotiable in politics. If your core support base is perennially unhappy with your lack of clout, it is the end of the story. Year 2024 marks a watershed moment in the history of the JSP, which is well on its way to going out of existence.
Even after JSP ceases to exist as a force in AP politics, you can be sure of one thing: Pawan will blame his supporters for not standing with him when it was most needed. That will make him a cent percent laughing stock.
