YSRC hatao, Seemandhra bachao, calls Pawan

TIRUPATI: Tollywood actor and Jana Sena president Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and gave a new slogan, YSRC Hatao, Seemandhra Bachao.

Speaking at an election meeting addressed by BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu here in the evening, Pawan, who chose to target TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao and his family members in Telangana, targeted Jagan for the first time.

'It was only after YS Rajasekhara Reddy had become the chief minister that the separate Telangana demand gained momentum. YSR and his men looted the resources of Telangana, igniting the separate State movement,' he said.

On Jagan Mohan Reddy, he asked as to why the YSRC president remained silent when KCR had been insulting and threatening people of Seemandhra.

'I started my Jana Sena just 50 days ago but YSRC was started four years ago. If I can take on KCR, why not Jagan? What happened to his Rayalaseema pourusham (pride)?' the Power Star thundered amid cheers from the gathering.

The Jana Sena president said that both the YSRC and Congress were the same. On his criticism of the TDP during the previous elections, Pawan Kalyan said he had attacked the party as it could not effectively stop the looting by YSR.

'While I was flying in a helicopter, I saw the Vanpic lands. Once there used to be princely states which were merged into the country by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Now thousands of acres are once again going into the hands of individuals in the name of SEZs. Mini-Indias are forming within the country,' he said.

'During my campaign in Telangana, I said Congress Hatao, Desh Bachao. But here I say YSRC Hatao, Seemandhra Bachao,' he said.

On KCR, Pawan Kalyan said he had not made any comments against the TRS chief till the latter attacked Modi. 'There is no other option than to spit venom when the opponent is doing it. If anyone slaps me, I will slap on both sides of his cheeks,' he said.

Reacting to the case against him filed by TRS MLA T Harish Rao, Pawan said he won't be cowed down by such acts. 'If KCR and his family members apologise to Modi, then I will think of doing so,' he said. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu said there could be development only under the able leadership of Modi and himself.

BJP senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu translated Modi's Hindi speech into Telugu. BJP and TDP MP and MLA candidates were also present.

Later, Modi and Naidu left for Tirumala. They will have darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Thursday morning and then proceed to Srikalahasti. From there they will attend a series of meetings at Madanapalle, Nellore and other places.