Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena not to contest Telangana polls

After carving out of the Andhra Pradesh, Telangana state is going to vote for the first time on December 7. India's youngest state was scheduled to go to polls in 2019. But on September 6, 2018, the ruling TRS dissolved the assembly, paving way for early elections. (Reuters)

The Jana Sena Party of actor-politician Pawan Kalyan decided not to contest the December 7 assembly elections in Telangana and said it would fight the Lok Sabha polls next year instead.

The issue was discussed with all leaders of the party, and it has been decided to prepare for the Lok Sabha polls from now itself, Kalayan said.

"Had the assembly elections been held as per schedule (in April 2019), the Jana Sena would have surely jumped into the fray. Since the assembly polls have been advanced, we are not geared up for the contest.

"It's really difficult for a fledgling party like ours," Kalyan said.

Filing of nominations for the Telangana Assembly election ended Monday.

The YSR Congress had earlier announced it would stay away from the Telangana polls since its complete focus was on the 2019 general elections in Andhra Pradesh, its actual base.

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