He stated that Jana Sena had backed the TDP solidly when it needed support the most. He recalled how TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in 2023 and how he stood by him during that time.
Published Mar 17, 2025 | 11:53 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 17, 2025 | 11:53 AM
Pawan Kalyan. (X)
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan claimed Jana Sena was responsible for the victory of the TDP-led NDA in the state. In a public meeting, he also subtly hinted at contesting elections in Telangana. He also said he was a sanatani and would not remain silent against attacks on Sanatana Dharma
Jana Sena President Pawan Kalyan appeared to be projecting himself as larger in stature than Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at his party’s 12th foundation day event in Chitrada of the Pithapuram Assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, March 14.
The Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief minister said: “It was the Jana Sena that had propped up the 40-year-old Telugu Desam Party (TDP) when it was going through the most critical phase of its existence. It was Jana Sena that was responsible for the formation of the NDA in the state. It was Jana Sena that secured a 100 percent strike rate by winning all 21 seats under the alliance. And finally, it was Jana Sena that helped the NDA win 164 seats in the state.”
Pawan Kalyan, addressing a mammoth public meeting, recalled how the YSRCP had dared him, claiming that he would not even be allowed to touch the gates of the Assembly. “We rose to their challenge and scored a stupendous victory. Today, we are celebrating the victory with jaya kethanam — raising the flag of victory.”
He stated that Jana Sena had backed the TDP solidly when it needed support the most. He recalled how TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in 2023 and how he stood by him during that time.
Despite facing heavy odds, Jana Sena emerged victorious and gained national attention, Pawan Kalyan said.
Pawan Kalyan did not hide his interest in Telangana, stating that Telangana is his janma bhoomi (land of birth) and Andhra Pradesh, his karma bhoomi (land of action).
He referred to Telangana as his janma bhoomi, elaborating how he narrowly escaped electrocution at the Konda Gattu Anjaneya Swami Temple in the erstwhile Karimnagar district in 2009. Before launching his campaign for the Praja Rajyam Party, founded by his actor-brother Chiranjeevi, he visited the temple where he accidentally touched an iron railing that had a live electric current due to a short circuit.
He immediately withdrew his hand, escaping by a whisker from what could have been a major tragedy.
At the beginning itself, Pawan Kalyan strayed into the Telangana issue, leaving those sitting on the stage puzzled. He praised Telangana, reciting the words of poet Dasarathi Krishnamacharyulu, who called Telangana “kotiratanala veena,” a metaphorical expression meaning it is a very precious land.
He also recalled his association with balladeer Gaddar and how the latter had predicted that one day he would lead the multitudes.
The Jana Sena chief’s comments on Telangana have spurred speculation that he might be revitalising his party in Telangana, possibly in association with the BJP, to which he is emotionally connected, even though both are separate parties.
There is already speculation that Jana Sena might contest the upcoming local body elections in Telangana.
Pawan Kalyan also took strong exception to the criticism that he had done a somersault on his adherence to the ideology he used to follow once.
“There is criticism that I have become a sanatani after saying in the past that I admire Argentine-Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara. Che Guevara is a source of inspiration for me. He stood for humanitarian values. At the same time, I am a sanatani. Since childhood, I have followed Sanatana Dharma. I am a devotee of Lord Sri Ram. There is no contradiction in my stand,” he said.
He wondered how he could remain silent if there was an attack on Sanatana Dharma. “There is a leader in the old city of Hyderabad who says that if the police were not present for 15 minutes, he would have all Hindus slain. Is this right? Why should one keep quiet?” he asked.
Then, Pawan Kalyan surprised the audience by raising the slogan Bharat Mata Ki Jai and asked the audience to repeat after him. From one corner of the audience, chants of “Modi, Modi” could be heard, an exclusive phenomenon, seen only at BJP rallies.
Pawan Kalyan seemed to cement his role as an unapologetic sanatani, even forgetting that he was leading Jana Sena, a party distinct from the BJP.
Later, he took to X to clear his stance regarding the three-language policy in education, which has been a topic of controversy ever since Tamil Nadu’s recent decision not to implement it.
He posted, “Either imposing a language forcibly or opposing a language blindly; both doesn’t help to achieve the objective of National &Cultural integration of our Bharat. I had never opposed Hindi as a language. I only opposed making it compulsory. When the NEP 2020 itself does not enforce Hindi, spreading false narratives about its imposition is nothing but an attempt to mislead the public….”
Either imposing a language forcibly or opposing a language blindly; both doesn’t help to achieve the objective of National &Cultural integration of our Bharat.
I had never opposed Hindi as a language. I only opposed making it compulsory. When the NEP 2020 itself does not…
— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) March 15, 2025
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
