Janasena founder Pawan Kalyan has warned of possible North-South divide in the southern States. For the integrity of the country, ruling party leaders should address the issues positively or else regional sentiments were bound to erupt, he feared.
Dominance of certain parties on the regional cultures were likely to prove costly but unfortunately those brining these issues to the notice of the government were being ridiculed or looked with suspicion, he said during an informal chat with the mediapersons here.
In an indirect reference to the Bharatiya Janata Party, he went on to say that the Union Government was threatening such people using the power of investigative agencies and this trend would only alienate people further. He too had received notices from various government agencies, he said. At the same time, he made it clear that Janasena was not part of the NDA.
On the special status to Andhra Pradesh, he said the BJP government had failed on its promise. He, however, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on the government’s inability to give the special status rather than making his Ministers reveal that. “Even mafia respects the word it gives, but unfortunately political parties are not respecting their own promises made to people,” he observed.
Whether he was ready to support the Congress since Mr. Rahul Gandhi promised special status if Congress came to power, he said he would prefer a written assurance given his experience with the BJP on the issue. On why the parties within Andhra Pradesh were unable to put up a united fight, he felt they might be fearing foisting of some cases against them. Mr. Pawan Kalyan said there was need for fresh blood and new thinking in politics but did not give a direct reply whether he was willing to align with Mr. Kodandaram if the latter forms a political party. He said there was nothing wrong if he was friendly with Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekar Rao. “You want us to be friendly with the Government of India but not with the neighbouring State?.”
Party future plan
The Janasena chief said his party’s policies and future plan would be revealed on March 14. He would give a clarity on the political and electoral decisions, he said. On his aspirations of being a Chief Minister, he said it should be a by-product of his work for the people.
