Hyderabad, June 3 (RAHNUMA): BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao has strongly responded to the recent remarks made by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, asserting that Telangana rightfully belongs to its people who fought, sacrificed, and shed blood for the state’s formation.
Speaking at the Meet the Press at Somajiguda Press Club, Hyderabad on Wednesday, KT Rama Rao said Telangana is the land of its four crore people and those who dedicated their lives to the statehood movement.
He emphasised that people from all regions are welcome to live, work, and do business in Telangana, noting that no discrimination has been faced by settlers over the past decade.
Taking exception to Pawan Kalyan’s criticism of regionalism, KTR argued that regional aspirations have played a key role in India’s history, citing the movement led by Potti Sriramulu for the formation of Andhra State.
He also questioned what he described as economic regionalism, referring to industries allegedly being diverted from Telangana to Gujarat.
The BRS working president said Telangana’s people do not need lessons in patriotism, highlighting the region’s long history of struggles, sacrifices, and resistance movements. While expressing respect for Pawan Kalyan as Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister and as an actor, KTR said Telangana would not accept outside interference in its affairs.
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.
