Why Can’t JD Go JP’s Way?

Will JD Lakshminarayana, who is all set to join politics after quitting his career as a cop, launch a party or join in an existent party?  If floating his own political outfit is his option, he needs to learn lessons from Jaya Prakash Narayan. He has set a precedent by launching Loksatta which has sent a lone member (who is none other than JP himself) to the Assembly in its more than decade’s long history. Both JD and JP have many traits in common: The two were in All India Services. One was IPS and the other IAS. They went for voluntary retirement when in service.  Urban middle class youth praise them for ideals. While JD (as a Joint Director, CBI) has investigated many anti-corruption scandals involving political bigwigs, JP ran a campaign against corruption and criminality in politics. JP took long road to get into politics. Loksatta had remained a civic platform for a decade before evolving into a party.

“Another luring one is Pawan Kalyan’s Janasena as they two belong to one social stratum, say Kapus. But to JD’s utter disappointment, PK has allied with Communists. JD is believed to have Sangh Parivar background during his college days.”

But JD is left with no time, to float a political party and make it popular, if at all, he wishes to be a player in 2019 polls. As he has kept all cards close to his chest, rumouring and wishful thinking of his followers discussing options, if he is in no mood to launch a party. They are indulging in elimination theory to stop at one option. As Jaganmohan Reddy had to go to jail, when JD handled his case, YCP can never be his option. Another luring one is Pawan Kalyan’s Janasena as they two belong to one social stratum, say Kapus. But to JD’s utter disappointment, PK has allied with Communists. JD is believed to have Sangh Parivar background during his college days. Moreover, the image JD enjoys among the educated middle class may not be a match PK’s mass appeal.

BJP would have been his immediate option, unless YCP leaders had tacit understanding with BJP leaders. Though YCP leaders negate this allegation, TDP leaders have been vocal in establishing this relationship. BJP may not have electoral gains if it goes to polls alone. Finally, TDP could be his option.

Contrary to this theory, if he can wait for one more term, say five years, he can float a party now and contest in 2024. Pawan has set this precedent. Having seen JP’s model, no officer will repeat the experiment of floating a party, at least, in these two Telugu Speaking States. .

-Satish Chandar