Will contest Telangana elections: Pawan Kalyan

metro india news  I hyderabad

Jana Sena Party President and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday announced that Jana Sena Party would contest elections in Telangana, including the 2029 Assembly elections and future Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls at a press conference at his Jubilee Hills residence on Telangana Formation Day. It may be noted that Telangana police denied permission to Jana Sena’s meeting at a convention centre in Gachibowli citing law and order problems.

Since the past few days, there has been verbal shootout between several leaders from Telangana and Andhra with the former challenging Pawan Kalyan on his role in Telangana and why should he be touring the State instead of managing AP affairs.

Pawan Kalyan said Jana Sena's presence in Telangana was neither temporary nor symbolic, stressing that the party was born in Telangana and has a strong cadre base across the state. He announced that he would personally tour Telangana, expand the party at the grassroots level, and ensure Jana Sena's participation in future electoral battles irrespective of alliance equations.

Telangana connection

Extending greetings on the state's Formation Day, Pawan Kalyan said his affection for Telangana transcends politics and predates the formation of Jana Sena. He recalled that the party was established in Telangana and that many of its leaders had been active in public life since their days in the Yuva Rajyam wing during 2007 and 2008.

Clarifying his stand on Telangana statehood, he stated that he never opposed Telangana but had objected to the manner in which the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was carried out in Parliament. He said Jana Sena's ideology was shaped by values learned from Telangana and cited his extensive travels across the state, including tribal hamlets and remote regions of Adilabad, as evidence of his long association with Telangana's people and concerns.

He maintained that Telangana would always remain close to his heart and the party would stand with the people.

On regional divisions

Pawan Kalyan strongly criticized attempts to create divisions between people on regional lines. He described regional hatred as a serious threat to national unity and questioned why leaders from one state should be prevented from participating in public life in another.

Drawing parallels with national leaders who contested elections outside their home states, he asked whether citizens required "passports" to travel or work across India. He urged political parties to avoid rhetoric that targeted people of Andhra origin and emphasized that Telangana was an inseparable part of India.

Referring to recent controversies, he said Jana Sena workers had reacted to provocative remarks made against him and maintained that he was not involved in any incidents that followed. He also expressed respect for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy while criticizing certain Congress leaders for their comments. Reiterating Jana Sena's long term vision, Pawan Kalyan declared that the party would fight for justice, raise issues affecting Telangana's people, and work towards bringing constructive political change. He said Jana Sena was not driven by a quest for power but by a commitment to public causes, adding that the party would continue expanding its footprint across Telangana in the years ahead.

‘Telangana is ours, not yours’

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday strongly criticised Pawan Kalyan over his recent remarks, accusing him of insulting Telangana’s aspirations and history. Ponnam said Telangana belongs to its four crore people and demanded that Pawan apologise for comments that allegedly questioned the state’s identity and self-respect.

He said Telangana and Andhra had maintained cordial relations after bifurcation under the spirit of “Vidipoyi Kalisundam” and rejected attempts to create divisions. 

Ponnam questioned Pawan Kalyan’s commitment to Telangana, recalling his opposition to statehood and alleging that he never supported the Telangana movement or expressed solidarity with martyrs who sacrificed their lives for statehood. He also objected to references made about late balladeer Gaddar and demanded an apology to his family and admirers.

The minister alleged that Pawan’s statements appeared politically motivated and aimed at creating controversy on Telangana Formation Day. He asserted that Telangana welcomes people from all regions and languages but would not tolerate remarks undermining its identity and democratic aspirations.