Telangana Congress leaders slam Pawan Kalyan's Telangana foray
Hyderabad: After Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan announced at a media conference on Tuesday that his party would stay active in Telangana and contest elections, senior Telangana Congress leaders launched a scathing counteroffensive, accusing him of hypocrisy and insulting the state's sentiment.
TPCC Media Committee Chairman Sama Rammohan Reddy was among the first to respond, taking to X to brand Pawan Kalyan's stance as duplicitous. 'In Andhra Pradesh he runs 'Jana Sena'. In Telangana, he is BJP's 'Bhajana Sena',' Sama wrote, alleging that the Jana Sena chief's political positioning shifts across state lines.
Pushing back on Pawan Kalyan's pledge to fight unemployment in Telangana, Sama questioned his silence on national issues. 'Do you not see the price rise, unemployment, and paper leaks happening under the Central government?' he asked.
He ended his post with a pointed warning: 'This is the Telangana. We know how to embrace like a mother. And if there are conspiracies against Telangana, we also know how to mitigate them.'
Roads & Buildings and Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy issued a strongly worded statement through his office on Tuesday, expressing anger over Pawan Kalyan's remarks made on Telangana Formation Day.
'While the entire state was celebrating, the Deputy CM of a neighboring state stood on this soil and vented his resentment,' Komatireddy said. 'The same old hatred and discrimination toward Telangana are still visible in your words.'
He said Pawan Kalyan's comments demeaned the martyrs who laid down their lives for statehood. 'We have a history of sacrificing ministerial posts and sitting on indefinite hunger strikes for Telangana,' he recalled.
Raising the pitch, Komatireddy alleged that the TDP and BJP appeared to be 'conspiring against Telangana as a team once again.' He warned, 'Do business here, but if you insult Telangana's identity, we will not tolerate it. You alone will be responsible for the consequences. Do not test our patience.'
Advising Pawan Kalyan in his capacity as a six-time legislator, the minister said a Deputy CM should focus on Andhra Pradesh's development. 'The two regions should compete in growth, not in regional hatred,' he said.
In a significant policy signal, Komatireddy declared that Andhra contractors would not be awarded a single project in Telangana going forward. 'We will not hesitate to bring any law required for this. We are ready to go to any extent for Telangana. Be cautious,' he added.
Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar demanded that Pawan Kalyan apologise for invoking late balladeer Gaddar. 'Pawan opposed Telangana's formation. He must first apologize for claiming he bought a car for Gaddar,' Ponnam said.
He rejected Pawan Kalyan's charge that Andhra people were targeted during the statehood agitation. 'We never spoke ill of Andhra people during the movement. Pawan Kalyan is lying,' he asserted.
Questioning the timing of Jana Sena's meeting, Ponnam asked, 'Is it not provocation to hold a meeting on Telangana Formation Day?' He added that while crowds may gather to see Pawan Kalyan the actor, 'people will not vote for him.'
Ponnam clarified that Telangana had no issue with Pawan Kalyan touring as a film star and would always welcome people from Andhra Pradesh. 'Is the money you gave to Kondagattu from your father's estate?' he asked, responding to Pawan Kalyan's reference to his temple donation.
With Jana Sena signaling a clear electoral entry and Congress drawing a hard line on regional identity, the remarks set the tone for a sharper political contest in the state in the months ahead.
|
