Don't meddle in AP politics, Pawan appeals to KCR

Hyderabad: Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan said he was unhappy that a Dalit could not become first Chief Minister of the new state and he also asked K Chandrashekar Rao to keep his hands off AP politics in the interests of the people.

BSP chief and former UP CM Mayawati also criticised K Chandrashekar Rao on Dalit CM issue and lamented that development of SCs, STs and BCs that comprise more than 70 per cent of state population was ignored.

BSP and Jana Sena, which came together to form an alliance, are contesting 12 MP seats together in Telangana Lok Sabha elections. Mayawati and Pawan Kalyan attended a public meeting that was held at LB Stadium on Thursday evening. The meeting started almost three hours behind scheduled time of 5 pm as both leaders flew late after addressing a public meeting in Tirupati.

Commenting on the "return gift" statement, Pawan Kalyan wanted KCR to take revenge on Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh if needed, but he should stay neutral and not interfere in AP politics.

"He can take action on Chandrababu Naidu in vote-for-note case. Or he can seize his house in Hyderabad. On the pretext of taking revenge on Naidu he should not support Y S Jaganmohan Reddy," he said. How can KCR think of supporting a leader who is known to grab shirt collar of government and police officials.

He (referring to YS Jagan) will bring a "rowdy rajyam" if voted to power, the Jana Sena chief said.

Pawan Kalyan said his ambition of cleansing politics for good will become ineffective with such actions and hence urged KCR to do a rethink on his decision.

Earlier, the Jana Sena president said that he had a wish that a Dalit should become the CM of Telangana state, that was formed after a long struggle.

K Chandrashekar Rao might have had his reasons but many were disappointed, he said.

Pawan Kalyan also stated that he would have given party tickets to OU students and other protagonists who played a key role in Telangana movement.

"People like Talasani Srinivas Yadav or Errabelli Dayakar Rao scolded KCR earlier and now are in TRS party and holding coveted positions. Telangana would not benefit by giving tickets to people like Talasani. The need of the hour is encouraging young blood like students from OU," he said.

Indirectly referring to defection of opposition MLAs into TRS in Telangana, Pawan Kalyan wanted to know whether there should be no opposition in the State.

"How there would be any voice if there is no opposition. Rival party leaders raise issues to help government serve people and they should not be treated as enemies," he said.

Speaking later, Mayawati said that K Chandrashekar Rao, whose community is just 1.5 per cent to 2 percent of population, could go on to become CM of Telangana. It is no surprise that SCs/STs and BCs that comprise three-fourths of the state population are neglected and deprived of opportunities in government and other fields.

She said BJP is losing ground in Uttar Pradesh and other states and is all set to lose power at the Centre in coming elections. Demonetisation, GST, failure to bring black money etc. are big setbacks that are going to hurt Narendra Modi.

She urged people of Telangana to support BSP and Jana Sena candidates and ensure their victory in Lok Sabha election.

While BSP candidates are in the fray in Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Warangal, Nagarkurnool, Chevella, Jana Sena has fielded candidates in Adilabad, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Secunderabad and Malkajgiri.