Congress shifts spotlight to Pawan Kalyan’s remarks amid BC stir, HILTP row

Telangana Congress leaders demanded an apology from Andhra Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan over his ‘evil eye’ remark, but BRS called the sudden reaction a diversion from public heat over BC quota demands and the HILTP controversy. Jana Sena said his remarks were misinterpreted

Hyderabad: The sudden enthusiasm shown by Ministers and Congress leaders in Telangana in demanding an apology from Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for his “evil eye” remarks appears to be a diversionary tactic.

Different sections, especially BC organisations, are on the streets demanding implementation of 42 per cent reservations. Added to this, the ongoing controversy surrounding the Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation Policy (HILTP) has placed the government under pressure. Against this backdrop, Congress Ministers seem to be trying to shift public focus by invoking Andhra–Telangana sentiment over Pawan Kalyan’s comments.

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While interacting with farmers in Razole constituency of Andhra Pradesh last week, Pawan Kalyan claimed that the fertile lands and greenery of Godavari districts were among the reasons for the bifurcation of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. “The curse seems to have hit,” he said.

“Telangana leaders used to appreciate the greenery, particularly coconut plantations. Today, the plantations are vanishing due to the evil eye cast on Konaseema. This hurt me a lot,” he had said.

Though the comments went viral on social media soon after, Congress Ministers and leaders reacted only on Tuesday. Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud and others demanded that Pawan Kalyan apologise. Komatireddy warned that the actor’s films would not be screened in Telangana, while Ponnam sought a response from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

BRS MLA and former Minister G Jagadish Reddy, who had condemned the remarks earlier, criticised the delayed reaction from the Congress Ministers. “It is ridiculous that our Ministers are responding now. The way they reacted, it appears to be match-fixing,” he said, reiterating that it would be wise for the actor-turned-politician to withdraw his comments.

Meanwhile, a statement from Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party office claimed that his comments were being “twisted”. “Considering the cordial atmosphere prevailing between the two States, these comments should not be distorted,” the statement circulating on social media on Tuesday read.