HYDERABAD: Days after the high-decibel war between the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Jana Sena founder Pawan Kalyan on Monday openly advised the two warring CMs to bury the hatchet and live in harmony in the best interests of the Telugu-speaking people.
The Jana Sena chief, who held his maiden press conference after the cash-for-vote scam here on Monday, expressed his displeasure over the way Naidu and Rao have been fighting over every issue.
During his public appearance after several months, the film star-turned-politico said,“This is high time that both the CMs realise that they are harming the cordial relations between people of the two Telugu states. Instead of engaging themselves in a long battle, both CMs should sort out the issues amicably,” he suggested.
The actor tried to maintain a delicate balancing act, probably, not to hurt either of the two chief ministers. But, later, he was more critical of the TRS government, particularly on the alleged phone tapping issue.
In what could be seen as a gesture to appease Telangana leaders, Pawan made it clear that Hyderabad is an inalienable part of Telangana. Hence, he differed with the view of AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu over invocation of Section 8 of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which empowers governor to have control over policing in the city. In the same breath, the film star mooted another proposal to address the concerns of Andhras in Hyderabad, which might not go well with the Telangana leaders. He wanted the Centre to set up a panel consisting of MPs from both BJP and Congress to look into the concerns of Andhras in the common capital.
At the same time, he asked the AP government to focus on developing the state instead of worrying over Hyderabad’s status. Interestingly, the Jana Sena founder was more critical of alleged phone tapping issue than the cash-for-vote scam.
While trying to downplay the cash-for-vote scam, saying that the involvement of money in politics has become a routine affair and no party is honest and no party is corrupt- free, Pawan said tapping of a CM’s phone was a serious offence.
“Hence, whoever is found guilty of resorting to phone tapping must be punished severely. In a democratic country like India, its a big crime,” he said. Pawan Kalyan said CBI inquiry has to be ordered to bring out the truth in the alleged phone-tapping. He sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for establishment of cordial relations between the two states.