HYDERABAD: Akin to his Tollywood blockbusters, Jana Sena founder and film star Pawan Kalyan seems to have played a perfect 'emancipator' role for the TDP-BJP government in Andhra Pradesh, which is his ally, at the critical hour in making it retain confidence of Kapus on it.
The dreamboat of Tollywood, who on Monday convened a media conference after coming all the way from Kerala by cancelling his scheduled film shoot there to Hyderabad, to air his views on ongoing Kapus agitation to include their caste in BCs, tried to perform a balancing act on the sensitive issue.
During his brief media interaction, the actor-turned-politico neither attacked the ruling TDP outright, nor threw his wait behind agitating Kapus unequivocally, nor came forward to mediate between Kapus and government to resolve their long pending demand.
All what he did is giving a piece of advice to the Kapus and political parties to resolve the issue within the Constitutional framework, by resorting to a dialogue.
Addressing a crowded press conference hall at his Jana Sena Party office in posh Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, white Kurta-clad Pawan Kalyan in tune with TDP's allegation, alleged that he too had strongly believed that there were some anti-social elements behind the violent acts that took place in Tuni on Sunday during the Kapu Garjana. "I don't understand why the meeting which was supposed to be held peacefully had taken violent turn. It must be a handiwork of anti-social elements," he said.
For a while, he pointed an accusing figure at the State government for its failure in sensing the possible happenings in advance. "I don't understand why the State government had failed to make proper security arrangements and take precautionary measures to prevent such violent incidents. While holding even audio release functions of movies, we take all measures to prevent any untoward incidents. But, in case of Kapu Garjana, the State government has failed completely in taking precautions," Pawan said.
Within no time, the actor-turned –politico came to the rescue of the TDP government, which is being attacked by the Opposition for its failure to implement its poll promise of inclusion of Kapus in BCs list, saying, "BC status to Kapus has been a long pending demand. The problem has been there from British Raj period. The problem regarding reservations cannot be solved overnight. All the parties have to act responsibly and come forward to resolve the issue. To achieve their rights, Kapus have to act in a methodical manner."
When asked whether he took up the Kapu issue as he belongs to the same caste, the actor replied, "I am a person who believes in National integrity. Hence, I can't respond keeping only caste in my mind. I will not fight for only one caste. But, for all castes."
He then tried to give some pinpricks to the TDP saying, "Political parties are promising many things at the time of elections without considering the scope of implementing them. It is not good."
The Jana Sena boss then suggested to all political parties to ensure that the Kapus are included in the BC list without causing much loss to the other sections, who are already a part of the list.
Interestingly, the film star said he did not know about the benefits Kapus would get, if the are given BC status. "I am not aware of the benefits. I don't know all those issues," he remarked.
Earlier, he unequivocally condemned the violent incidents that happened at Tuni on Sunday on the occasion of Kapu Garjana. "I am very much pained by the violent incidents that took place in Tuni. It is very unfortunate. Protests should be peaceful. Any leaders, who leads a movement should act with utmost care and responsibility," he suggested.
Why sudden interaction with media?
Given Jana Sena chief Pawan's silence on recent issues such as acquisition of land for Bhogapuram international airport, Bauxite mining issue and call money racket, which shook the State, the buzz in the political circles is that Pawan's sudden interaction with media on Kapus issue is only to rescue the TDP government at this critical juncture.
Earlier also, Pawan Kalyan played an emancipator role for the ruling TDP when some of the farmers, particularly Kapus and Reddys belonging to some riverside villages in the Amaravati capital region upped the ante against the State government's plans to acquire their fertile agricultural lands. At that time, Pawan's timely intervention prevented the farmers from being hijacked by the YSRC and thus helped the TDP go with its move of taking their agricultural lands for Amaravati construction.