Naidu Backs Pawan Says No Regional Animosity Please

Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday came out strongly in support of Jana Sena Party president and…

Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday came out strongly in support of Jana Sena Party president and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan over the latter’s planned rally in Hyderabad.

Reiterating that Telugu people remain united despite the bifurcation of the two states, Naidu said creating regional animosity through unnecessary controversies was inappropriate.

Speaking to reporters, the TDP chief strongly condemned the remarks being made by some leaders in Telangana targeting Pawan Kalyan.

He reminded them that, in a democracy, anyone has the right to engage in politics anywhere in the country.

Naidu said he himself had campaigned in Tamil Nadu in the past, while Karnataka Congress leader D K Shivakumar had also campaigned in other states.

He questioned why leaders were now making unnecessary remarks, despite the BRS having once declared itself a national party.

“Telugu people are becoming senators even in the United States. People support only those who serve them. Statements being made in Telangana purely for political gains are not correct. It has been 12 years since the bifurcation of the two states. Why are such issues being reignited now? Creating divisions between regions will benefit no one,” Naidu said.

He stressed that although Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are separate states, Telugu people should continue to live in unity and work together for the progress of both states.

Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan asserted that Telangana is an integral part of India and anyone can travel there freely.

“Borders may have fencing, but people’s hearts cannot be fenced,” he remarked.

During his visit to Amaravati, Pawan Kalyan paid tributes at the 58-foot bronze statue of freedom fighter Potti Sriramulu and later addressed the media.

He said demanding a separate state was one issue, but Potti Sriramulu, who sacrificed his life for Telugu people, never said people from other regions should be prevented from entering another state.

Questioning the attempts to create hatred among people, Pawan noted that contractors from Andhra Pradesh are working in Telangana, while Telangana contractors are undertaking projects in Andhra Pradesh.

He said he never expected such hostility even after more than a decade since bifurcation.

“Hyderabad is my home and my party was founded there. I do not need anyone’s permission to visit Hyderabad. What is wrong if sons of the soil born in Telangana hold public meetings there?” he asked.

Pawan Kalyan clarified that the controversy had escalated on its own and that there was no conspiracy behind it.

He said he shared a brotherly relationship with BRS working president K T Rama Rao and did not believe that KTR would have spoken irresponsibly.

He also said Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had no role in the issue.

Blaming certain Congress leaders for deliberately provoking regional tensions, Pawan questioned why Congress leaders could campaign and contest elections in other states while others were allegedly being threatened for doing the same.

Pawan Kalyan said his primary objective was to put an end to such regional hatred and ensure harmony among Telugu-speaking people.