Former IAS officer Jayaprakash Narayan, JD Lakshminarayana and Pawan Kalyan share a common goal which is to root out corruption. JP’s Lok Satta could not make expected impact with its vote share falling below 1 per cent. JD also found it difficult to push his political party in present competitive atmosphere. He preferred Jana Sena as a good platform for his future political career eventually.

But JD has not joined the Jana Sena till the last minute. There’s very little time left for the former CBI officer to create any impact on the party or in the elections. Moreover, it’s already proven that the lone anti-corruption image will not be effective in electoral politics. It’s well-known in India corruption is not a big election issue.

There’s a view that educated voters will be influenced by leaders like JD. But there is the issue of how Pawan Kalyan can explain the alliance with corruption-tainted Mayawati. This will not be overlooked or forgiven by the average discerning voter.

The analysts say the only impact of JD will be a greater polarisation of Kapu voters in favour of Jana Sena now. Certainly it is not going to be a cake walk for the TDP any more. The YCP will no doubt lose what little support it has from Kapus till now.