The sudden decision by Jana Sena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to recommend his elder brother and party general secretary, K. Nagababu, for a berth in the Chandrababu Naidu cabinet has surprised many.
It is unusual in politics to see two siblings serving in the same cabinet, although instances of parents and their children or even other close relatives holding cabinet positions are more common.
Pawan Kalyan's recommendation of his brother for a ministerial position comes after he had to relinquish the chance to become a Rajya Sabha member at the request of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
With Nagababu set to join the Naidu cabinet, speculations are rife about Pawan Kalyan’s long-term political plans.
Some believe Pawan Kalyan may shift his focus to national politics in the near future.
One reason for this speculation is the BJP's interest in utilizing Pawan Kalyan’s appeal on a national stage.
His impressive ability to attract crowds was evident during his rallies in the recent Maharashtra elections, prompting Union Home Minister Amit Shah to publicly commend him as a "real crowd-puller."
The BJP leadership appears keen on making Pawan Kalyan a Rajya Sabha member and potentially inducting him into the Union cabinet.
If this materializes, he could emerge as a significant southern leader for the party, similar to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the northeast.
This development could also pave the way for Chandrababu Naidu to pass the political baton to his son, Nara Lokesh, in Andhra Pradesh.
As long as Naidu remains at the helm, Pawan Kalyan seems comfortable working under his leadership as a deputy.
However, if Lokesh is positioned as the chief ministerial candidate, Pawan Kalyan might find it difficult to accept a subordinate role, potentially creating friction within the coalition.
Analysts suggest that Pawan Kalyan’s move to national politics could ensure a smoother transition of leadership within the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Naidu to Lokesh.
Additionally, over the next decade, if the BJP strengthens its foothold in southern India, it could potentially project Pawan Kalyan as a chief ministerial candidate for Andhra Pradesh.
In this context, Pawan Kalyan’s decision to nominate Nagababu for the state cabinet appears to be part of a larger political strategy, potentially signaling a major shift in his career trajectory.
