(Image source from: Twitter.com/JanaSenaParty)

The Jana Sena party, led by Pawan Kalyan, is currently in negotiations with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for an alliance in the upcoming elections. While the TDP had initially promised the Jana Sena 25 Assembly seats, the latter is now demanding at least 50 seats in order to form a strong alliance. Pawan Kalyan is reportedly under pressure from the Kapu community, who is urging him to ask for more seats to ensure that the Jana Sena becomes an equal partner in the alliance.

However, the TDP is facing challenges in meeting Jana Sena's demands as it is also considering an alliance with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). If this alliance materializes, the TDP would need to allocate at least 5 seats to each party. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is currently in the process of identifying candidates for his own party and allocating seats to both the Jana Sena and the Left parties.

In order to determine the appropriate number of seats to be assigned to the Jana Sena, Chandrababu Naidu has obtained a recent survey report on the party's strength in the state. This survey, conducted by Robin Sharma of Show Time, has provided insights into the Jana Sena's strongholds at the grassroots level. Despite Pawan Kalyan's request for 50 seats, Chandrababu Naidu is reportedly not willing to offer more than 25 to 30 seats. He believes that the Jana Sena will only be able to secure a limited number of seats, around five to ten, in the elections. Moreover, he is concerned that giving them more seats would benefit the ruling YSR Congress.

In the midst of these negotiations, Pawan Kalyan is traveling to Kakinada for a three-day stay. During this time, he will engage in discussions with party leaders, primarily focusing on the alliance with the TDP and the number of seats they should demand. Pawan Kalyan will also consult with influential members of the Kapu community, who are urging him to be assertive in bargaining with the TDP. They desire a greater number of seats in the alliance, which would establish the Jana Sena as an equal partner. If the alliance is successful in the elections, this would give the Jana Sena an advantage in the formation of the coalition government.