Politics turned into business, laments Pawan

Ongole: Politics has become a business and politicians are trying to loot many times the amount they spend to win in the elections, observed Jana Sena president K Pawan Kalyan.

On the second day of his Praja Porata Yatra in Prakasam district, Pawan spoke to the party cadre, women and students in Ongole on Tuesday. Speaking at the meetings, Pawan tried to convince the audience that not everyone who ties the flags becomes leaders.

He said that those who want to be leaders should be composed, ready to learn and maintain peace and be ready to face tough times. He said that for an actor-turned-politician, fans are big support and weakness.

He said that many officials, judges and entrepreneurs who are vexed with the existing system want to support an alternate platform like Jana Sena and asked the cadre to try to learn from seniors and support them.

He alleged that people like Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and Sidda Raghava Rao were throwing money to get elected and loot many times in return. He said that he was surprised to hear that Sidda Raghavarao spent about Rs 50 crore to win from undeveloped Darsi.

He said that leaders were spending money to get elected and making thousands of crores by looting granite and Donakonda lands. But they failed to complete Veligonda Project, eradicate fluorosis in Prakasam district and develop Dondakonda industrial corridor.

He felt people were the reason for the leaders to behave like that. He asked Jana Sena leaders to shun desire. If money can bring power, Pawan Kalyan explained that Jaganmohan Reddy would have become the Chief Minister long ago and Lokesh would not have accepted Jana Sena support in 2014.

The Jana Sena chief said that the anger generated among the public during the Telangana movement gave birth to the Jana Sena party. He said that the Telangana leaders blamed Andhra people instead of the MPs and MLAs who ruled them, for discrimination.

He said that his anger is on the inequalities in the society and the failure of successive governments in correcting them. He questioned why one should see religion in every walk of life. He said that after the BJP formed the government at the Centre in 2014, the people are forced to prove their patriotism.

He felt that the situation deteriorated to such an extent that if a person who cannot stand by his own sits in the chair during the playing of national song ‘Janganamana’ in a cinema theatre, he will be branded as anti-national and is attacked.

He said that the BJP cannot threaten anyone to prove their love for the country. Pawan Kalyan alleged that the government was making money in the name of fee for applications for various jobs and exams. He announced that when Jana Sena forms the government, he will introduce one-time fees for all recruitments.

He also said that there is a great need to revamp the government education system and see the burden to get the education is reduced and DSC is conducted every year to provide jobs to the eligible candidates.

He asked the youth and party cadre to support the person whoever contests form their constituency on Jana Sena ticket. Jana Sena leaders Nadendla Manohar, Madasu Gangadhar and others also participated in the programme. Later, the Jana Sena chief went to Narasaraopet after a brief road show at Addanki.