Eye On 2024 Andhra Polls, Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan's Show Of Strength

Last week Mr Naidu ramped up his attacks on the YSR Congress Party in power in Andhra, declaring next year's state election a "battle" between the people of the state and the ruling party.

Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan kick-started their campaign for next year's Andhra Pradesh election by sharing the stage at a public meeting in Vizianagaram on Wednesday evening. Drone videos of the event showed tens of thousands of supporters crowded into the venue, emphasising the sway the alliance has over voters in the state.

This was thee first joint address by Mr Naidu and Mr Kalyan since the alliance was announced in September. "This is about the future of Andhra Pradesh," the latter said then, flanked by Mr Naidu's son, Nara Lokesh, and brother-in-law, Nandamuri Balakrishna.

All four - Mr Naidu and his relatives, and Mr Kalyan - were together this evening, in an important show of strength. The event itself had its own significance; it was the concluding ceremony of a 3,132 km padayatra, or foot march, by Mr Lokesh. The march has been seen as helping the 40-year-old step out from his father's shadow and establish himself as a mass leader in his own right.