Dont Teach Us Patriotism Ktr Tells Pawan Kalyan

Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president K T Rama Rao came down heavily on Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan…

Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president K T Rama Rao came down heavily on Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for comparing regional sentiments with terrorism.

Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, KTR took exception to Pawan Kalyan’s criticism of regionalism and said regional aspirations have played a key role in India’s history.

He cited the movement led by Potti Sriramulu for the formation of Andhra State as an example.

“What do you call Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to divert industries from Telangana to Gujarat? Is it not economic regionalism? Can you question him for favouring Gujarat?” KTR asked.

KTR said the people of Telangana do not need lessons in patriotism from Pawan Kalyan. He said Telangana has a long history of struggles, sacrifices and resistance movements.

“We respect Pawan Kalyan as Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister and as an actor. But we shall not accept outside interference in our affairs,” he said.

On Pawan Kalyan’s comment that Telangana was not anybody’s father’s property, the BRS working president said Telangana rightfully belongs to its people who fought, sacrificed and shed blood for the state’s formation.

KTR said Telangana is the land of its four crore people and those who dedicated their lives to the statehood movement.

He emphasized that people from all regions are welcome to live, work and do business in Telangana, noting that settlers have not faced any discrimination over the past decade.

He reiterated that any political party is free to contest elections in Telangana, as guaranteed by the Constitution, but stressed that leaders should understand and respect the aspirations, sentiments and sacrifices of the people before making statements about the state.

KTR also remarked that Telangana was not formed easily, but emerged after decades of struggle and thousands of sacrifices.

He urged leaders to be mindful of the state’s history and sentiments while speaking on Telangana-related issues.