Hyderabad, June 3: K.T. Rama Rao, the executive president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), stated on Wednesday that Telangana does not need to learn lessons on patriotism from Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
During a press conference in Hyderabad, KTR reacted strongly to comments made by the Janasena Party leader. He asserted, “We do not need Pawan Kalyan to teach us about patriotism. Struggle and sacrifice are not new to us.”
KTR reminded Kalyan that Telangana constitutes less than three percent of India but contributes five percent to the nation’s GDP.
He emphasized, “We do not require any moral preaching or oversight. We respect him as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and appreciate him as an artist and actor. If he visits us as a brother, we will treat him to Hyderabadi biryani. However, if he attempts to assert his dominance in our politics, we will not tolerate it. After all, we fought for 60 years for our separation in 2014.”
Responding to questions from journalists at the Hyderabad Press Club, KTR stated that no one is stopping Pawan Kalyan in Telangana. He noted that Kalyan and his family reside here and have their businesses in the state. “No one has stopped him in the last 12 years,” he added.
In response to Kalyan’s remark that Telangana is not anyone’s personal estate, KTR asserted that Telangana indeed belongs to the sons of its soil, and there should be no doubt about that.
KTR questioned Kalyan’s statement that regionalism is more dangerous than terrorism, asking what he would say about Potti Sriramulu, who sacrificed his life after fasting for 58 days for the demand of a Telugu state.
The BRS leader also inquired about Kalyan’s views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s treatment of Telangana, suggesting that industries coming to Telangana are being redirected to Gujarat.
Regarding Kalyan’s announcement to contest elections in Telangana, KTR acknowledged that any citizen has the right to form a political party and contest elections in any state under the Indian Constitution. However, he stressed that leaders contesting elections should respect the aspirations, struggles, and sacrifices of the local people.
KTR pointed out that Janasena’s participation in Telangana elections is not new. “Did you not contest the 2023 Assembly elections? You also participated in the recent municipal elections,” he remarked.
He concluded by stating that no one is preventing Pawan Kalyan from contesting elections, emphasizing that Telangana was formed after the sacrifices of thousands. “This is not a state that was created lightly. Therefore, one should think before speaking upon arriving here,” KTR advised.
KTR also objected to Kalyan’s comments regarding the formation of Telangana, urging him to be clear about his stance instead of making vague statements.
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