Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday launched a strong attack on those allegedly threatening him over his visits to Hyderabad, asserting that Telangana does not belong to any individual and challenging his critics to confront him directly.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Pawan Kalyan expressed anger over what he described as intimidation attempts by certain individuals. “Is Telangana anyone’s personal estate? This is my home address. If you have the courage, come and attack me,” he said, recalling that he had faced similar threats from YSRCP supporters in Andhra Pradesh in the past.
The Jana Sena chief also hit back at leaders questioning his party’s presence in Telangana, stating that Jana Sena was born in the heart of Telangana and has lakhs of supporters and workers across the state. He emphasized that his bond with Telangana transcends politics, adding that the state’s culture, spirit and dialect have always found representation in his films.
Pawan Kalyan maintained that he has never targeted Telangana leaders and questioned whether he had ever spoken disrespectfully about former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao or any other Telangana leader over the past 12 years. He noted that while he had faced threats from political opponents in Andhra Pradesh, he had never experienced such hostility from the people of Telangana.
Responding to criticism linking him to unemployment and livelihood issues in Telangana, Pawan Kalyan questioned how he could be held responsible for the state’s employment challenges. He urged people not to tolerate anyone who harms Telangana’s interests and made an emotional appeal, saying those responsible for injustice against Telangana should be punished, including himself if found guilty.
The Deputy Chief Minister also criticized the manner in which Telangana was bifurcated in Parliament and indicated that Jana Sena could contest future elections in the state if there was public demand. However, he stressed that the party’s immediate priority was to address public issues and support people rather than focus solely on electoral politics.
Referring to allegations that he had encroached on a lake, Pawan Kalyan dismissed the claims and stated that if the accusations were proven true, he would willingly hand over the land in question.
Pawan Kalyan’s remarks, made from Hyderabad after assuming office as Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, have triggered significant political discussion across both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.