Deputy CM Vows to Counter ‘Regional Hatred’, Announces Political Expansion
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday formally announced his party’s entry into Telangana politics, declaring that Jana Sena would contest upcoming elections, including the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls and the next Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference at his Jubilee Hills residence after the Telangana government denied permission for the proposed “Telangana Nava Nirmana Sankalpa Sabha,” Pawan Kalyan said the political climate in the state had made Jana Sena’s expansion inevitable.
“Jana Sena leaders in Telangana have consistently urged the party to establish a stronger presence here. The time has come for us to actively participate in Telangana’s political landscape and stand with the people on every issue,” he said.
The Jana Sena chief asserted that his party would fight against injustice and divisive politics while upholding national unity. “Telangana is an integral part of India. We will speak on every public issue and oppose every form of injustice,” he stated.
Rejecting allegations that he had opposed Telangana’s formation, Pawan clarified that his criticism was directed only at the manner in which the state was bifurcated. He said the sacrifices of more than 1,200 Telangana martyrs deserved greater respect and recalled his 11-day fast protesting the way the bifurcation process was handled by the then Congress government.
Pawan accused certain political leaders of repeatedly exploiting regional sentiments for electoral gains and warned against fostering hostility between the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “Leaders should be held accountable for their mistakes, not entire regions or communities,” he remarked.
Questioning criticism over his political activities in Telangana, he asked, “Is Telangana anyone’s private estate?” and argued that democratic politics should not be restricted by regional boundaries.
Defending his response to remarks made against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Pawan said combating misinformation was essential and cautioned that regional hatred posed a serious threat to national integration.
He also challenged the Telangana government to conduct a survey into allegations of land encroachment involving his property, promising to surrender the land if any violations were proven.
Paying tribute to late revolutionary Gaddar, Pawan announced plans to install his statue in Andhra Pradesh and reiterated that Jana Sena would seek public support through “honesty, courage and commitment to people’s issues.”
