Pawan Kalyan attends Muruga meeting in Madurai

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan participated in the Muruga Bhakthargal Maanadu (Murugan Devotees’ Conference) held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on June 22, 2025. The event, organized by Hindu Munnani, was a significant spiritual gathering aimed at celebrating devotion to Lord Murugan, a revered Tamil deity associated with the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu). Pawan Kalyan arrived at Madurai airport on the same day to attend the conference, where he was warmly welcomed by Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran and other BJP leaders.

He was invited as a chief guest to deliver the keynote address, highlighting his commitment to Sanatana Dharma and cultural values. The event, held at Amma Thidal near Pandi Kovil, featured cultural programs, devotional singing, and the recitation of Kanda Shashti Kavasam, attracting around five lakh devotees from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala.

Political controversy and Pawan’s focus on Tamilnadu

Politically, Pawan Kalyan’s visits to Tamil Nadu signal a strategic effort to strengthen the BJP-Jana Sena alliance and appeal to the state’s sizable Telugu-speaking population, estimated at 15-20%, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

The Tamil Nadu BJP, led by Nainar Nagendran, is leveraging Pawan’s popularity among Telugu voters in regions like Chennai, Vellore, Krishnagiri, and Tiruvallur. In May 2025, he spoke at a Chennai seminar on ‘One Nation, One Election,’ urging Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin to reconsider his opposition, citing former DMK leader M. Karunanidhi’s support for simultaneous polls.

He described the policy as an economic and governance reform, while expressing his personal connection to Tamil Nadu’s cultural icons like Thiruvalluvar, MGR, and Lord Murugan.

His engagement has sparked controversy, with the DMK accusing the BJP of using events like the Murugan conference to stoke religious divisions. DMK Minister PK Sekar Babu questioned the relevance of Pawan Kalyan and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s participation, alleging political motives. Pawan responded sharply at the Madurai event, criticizing secular leaders for questioning Hindu devotion while respecting other faiths, escalating tensions with the DMK.

Pawan’s frequent visits, including a March 2025 interview with Thanthi TV discussing Tamil Nadu politics and Sanatana Dharma, have fueled speculation about his potential role in Tamil politics. While Jana Sena downplays expansion plans, analysts suggest he could campaign for the AIADMK-BJP alliance in 2026, consolidating Telugu votes and enhancing his national profile within the NDA. His decade-long stay in Chennai during his education adds a personal dimension to his outreach.