KTR slams Pawan Kalyan, says no outsider can dictate terms to Telangana

BRS working president KT Rama Rao criticised Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan for his remarks on Telangana, asserting that no outsider can dictate terms to the state. He defended Telangana’s identity, history, and sacrifices while rejecting claims of regionalism.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao had hit back at Jana Sena chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday, dismissing his remarks on Telangana as ill-informed and politically motivated. He asserted that Telangana was the fiefdom of its people and no outsider would be permitted to dictate terms to the State.

“Telangana belongs to its four crore people who bled, sacrificed, and fought for this land. The people who struggled for Telangana have every right to protect its identity and self-respect,” he said.

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Speaking at the Meet the Press programme organised by the Press Club of Hyderabad on Wednesday, Rama Rao responded point-by-point to Pawan Kalyan’s recent remarks, which triggered a political controversy between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He said any attempt to belittle the sacrifices behind the Telangana movement would be firmly resisted.

At the same time, he stressed that Telangana remained welcoming to all. People from Andhra Pradesh and other States had lived, worked and invested in Telangana without facing discrimination even after bifurcation, he said. “States may be divided administratively, but people should continue to live together with mutual respect,” he added.

Taking exception to Pawan Kalyan’s observation that regionalism was more dangerous than terrorism, Rama Rao questioned whether the movement led by Potti Sriramulu for a separate Andhra State should also be viewed through the same lens. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was encouraging industries to move from Telangana and other States to Gujarat, and asked whether such actions amounted to economic regionalism.

Rama Rao also rejected suggestions that Telangana’s regional identity could weaken national unity. Referring to comments about people might refuse to sing the national anthem or national song in future, he said Telangana had a long history of struggles against oppression and did not require lessons in patriotism.

“This land fought against the Nizam. Communists marched on this soil. Sacrifice and struggle are not new to Telangana. We do not need lessons on patriotism from Pawan Kalyan,” he said.

While expressing respect for Pawan Kalyan as Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and admiration for him as an actor, Rama Rao said no outsider could claim authority over Telangana. “We will welcome him as a guest, but nobody can sit in our Secretariat and dictate terms on matters concerning Telangana,” he said.

Questioning claims that Jana Sena was being prevented from functioning in Telangana, Rama Rao pointed out that the party had contested the 2023 Assembly elections and recently fielded candidates in municipal polls. “Who is stopping you? Stop creating an imaginary grievance and presenting it as an attack on democracy,” he remarked.

The former Minister also criticised Pawan Kalyan’s reservations over the formation of Telangana, stating that those unhappy with the State’s creation had no reason to hold rallies on Telangana Formation Day. He said if permission for a meeting was denied, the issue should be taken up with the Congress government.

“Telangana was not achieved casually. Thousands sacrificed their lives for it. Anyone speaking about Telangana must understand and respect its history, culture, aspirations and sacrifices,” he said.

Reiterating the BRS stand, Rama Rao said the party would continue to safeguard Telangana’s identity and interests. Describing former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao as the OG (original guardian) of Telangana, he asserted that BRS would resist any attempt to dilute the spirit of the Statehood movement.