Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his dismay at the objectionable remarks made by actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, stating that he was sad such people were leaders. Speaking at the Praja Chaitanyam event held in Avanigadda, Krishna district on Thursday, October 20, Jagan Mohan said, “I don’t know if even the street rowdies speak in that language. Those who claim to be heroes on TV are showing slippers and speaking in derogatory language. It feels sad that these people are our leaders.” Jana Sena party chief Pawan Kalyan had earlier warned that all YSRCP leaders should be beaten with chappals.
The CM also commented on Pawan Kalyan's personal life of being married thrice. "When we are saying that without causing injustice to any region we should develop a capital in three regions, some are arguing 'no, only through three marriages there will be betterment. You too do it'. They are saying this in TV. If leaders talk like this, what will happen to our women, daughters and sisters if someone is going to marry them only for a few years and divorce them later? What will happen to our system? Are these people our leaders?" Jagan said referring to Pawan Kalyan.
After Pawan Kalyan was denied permission to hold his Prajavani yatra in Visakhapatnam recently, the actor lashed out at the YSRCP government and expressed his extreme displeasure at YSRCP leaders calling him ‘package’ Kalyan, insinuating that Pawan Kalyan took kickbacks from the BJP and the TDP. Jana Sena Party is presently in alliance with the BJP. On October 18, the actor, while addressing his party members at the Jana Sena Party office in Mangalagiri, dramatically took off his chappal and warned that he would slap YSRCP leaders, if ever they addressed him in a derogatory manner and made personal comments. Reacting to the ridicule of being married thrice, the actor-politician had said that the YSRCP leaders too can get married thrice, if they wished.
Politics in Andhra Pradesh has intensified in the last few days after the Jana Sena Party was refused from holding a campaign in Visakhapatnam after a stone pelting incident against Minister Roja was reported. Citing law and order issue, the state police denied permission to Pawan Kalyan from holding any rallies or addressing public gatherings. The main opposition party, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) accused the government of being undemocratic. Following the incident, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu met with Pawan Kalyan in Vijayawada, to express his solidarity. The hour-long meeting saw both the leaders saying that they would work together to save democracy, which was facing a grave threat under the Jagan government, according to them. The meeting sparked speculation of an alliance between the two parties for the 2024 Assembly elections. Pawan Kalyan had offered his support to the TDP in 2014.