Hyderabad, June 1 (RAHNUMA): The ‘Navanirmana Sankalpa Sabha’, scheduled to be held by Jana Sena Chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on the occasion of Telangana Formation Day, has sparked a political controversy.
Political and civil society organisations are expressing strong objections, citing the comments Pawan Kalyan made regarding Telangana—from the days of the movement for statehood through the formation of the state, and even thereafter.
Against this backdrop, Minister for Transport Ponnam Prabhakar lashed out at Pawan Kalyan,
asserting that an individual who has insulted the self-respect of the people of Telangana possesses no moral right to speak about ‘Navanirmanam’ here. The Minister demanded that Pawan Kalyan hold his public meeting only after first tendering an open apology to the people of Telangana.
Speaking to the media at the MLA camp office in Husnabad of Siddipet district on Monday, Ponnam Prabhakar questioned Pawan Kalyan, who once claimed that the coconut trees of Konaseema would wither away if subjected to the gaze of the people of Telangana, as to with what face he is now holding public meetings in Telangana.
He stated that the public would not be convinced if the very person who claimed to have abstained from food for 11 days in protest against the formation of Telangana were to visit here on the state’s Formation Day and shed crocodile tears.
Ponnam Prabhakar criticised the individual, who had opposed the creation of Telangana when it took place, for now feigning affection for the state, labeling it nothing more than a political charade.
“There is a proverb: ‘A man who cannot buy bangles for his own mother promises to craft a gold waist-belt for his aunt.’ It is absurd for someone to claim they will accomplish things in Telangana that they failed to achieve in Andhra Pradesh,” he remarked.
Alleging that there is a political agenda of the BJP behind Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Navanirmana Sabhas, Ponnam Prabhakar questioned why Telangana was chosen as the venue, rather than states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, or Tamil Nadu.
He stated that the public harbors suspicions that these events are being organised under the direction of the BJP, with the objective of inciting hatred and creating social discord within Telangana.
“One may admire him as a hero in movies. However, if he enters politics with an anti-Telangana stance, we will certainly confront him. Pawan Kalyan is a film actor; he will play any role if the price is right. Right now, he is merely acting in accordance with a script provided by the BJP,” Ponnam Prabhakar remarked sharply.
He clarified that Telangana Formation Day is a festive occasion for every child of Telangana, and anyone is welcome to attend the celebrations; however, the Minister asserted that they strongly oppose any individual who questions Telangana’s identity holding political meetings here.
