Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Sunday said that his Jana Sena party was going to form the Andhra Pradesh government and dethrone the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from power in the state. Pawan was speaking at a massive meeting in Anantapur city, where he also accused both main parties in the state of ignoring the troubles of the Rayalaseema region.
The Rayalaseema region comprises four districts – Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor. The region has several drought-prone areas and witnesses farmer suicides and mass migrations annually. Stating that neither the ruling party nor the opposition party was bothered about the drought in Rayalaseema, he said that the rulers continued to amass wealth even as the citizens faced trouble.
“For generations together, the rulers neglected this region, forcing thousands of people to migrate to other states in search of livelihood. In the past, leaders meant those who went to jail for the cause of the people. Can Jagan give any direction to the people now, with the cases he is facing?” Pawan asked.
He also lashed out at the YSRCP for not taking up the cases of farmers from the capital region of Amaravati, when their lands were taken over.
Speaking about the TDP, the Jana Sena chief said, “Despite my respect shown to TDP, they meted out insult. I warn the TDP that Jana Sena is the party which would uproot your rule soon. My sole aim is to root out the corruption in the state and bring unity among all castes.”
The CPI and CPM also supported Pawan’s meeting and spoke about the drought in Rayalaseema and the failure of successive governments in tackling it.
Last month, Pawan Kalyan advocated for a second national capital in south India and said that the time had come for southern parties to speak in one voice.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Pawan Kalyan said that he wanted the southern states to play a decisive role within the system, adding, “It is high time the political parties in the south stood up together and end the hegemony enjoyed by Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in national politics.”
Pawan also told reporters that regional parties would play a crucial role in the 2019 elections.