Jana Sena leader, Pawan Kalyan is not just popular vote catcher for the TDP- BJP combination, but also a power negotiator as well. All of his pointers at Chandrababu Naidu government and also Modi regime seem to be a façade. Though the well-known actor and Jana Sena founder did not get much done after the BJP-TDP alliance came to power, he has finally managed to get his way with one demand.

Pawan has succeeded in getting Pasupuleti Hari Prasad who owns a corporate hospital in Tirupati appointed a member of the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam board. It is not a secret but that there had been heavy lobbying in TDP, BJP and even Congress knows that all the members on TTD Board are usually appointed on recommendation. So, this time, Pawan is said to be instrumental in getting Pasupuleti into the Board.

While Amit Shah recommended the name of V Krishnamurthy of Tamil Nadu, ex CM (Shadow CM) of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha recommended the name of Chennai-based J Sekhar while Karnataka’s DP Ananth was recommended by Uma Bharathi and Sampath Ravi from Tamil Nadu was appointed after his name was forwarded by Rajnath Singh. On the other hand, Ella Suchitra who now heads the CII in AP also made it into the Board thanks her links to Chandra Babu and his family.

And the Tollywood connection to the Board comes in the form of K Raghavendra Rao. Incidentally, immediately after Rao gave his hair to the Lord, the news of his appointment was announced leaving him ecstatic. While all members are happy for getting on the Board, there is common opinion that the duration is too short. The appointment holds good only for one year.