A day after actor-politician Pawan Kalyan lashed out at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at a massive public meeting near the Dowleswaram barrage, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) hit back on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, party spokesperson and Andhra Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy accused the Jana Sena party chief of colluding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.
"Pawan has fallen in love with Modi. It is a fact. When so much injustice is being meted out by the Centre, why won't you speak against him and the BJP? Both the YSRCP and the Jana Sena have fallen for Modi whether you accept it or not. Is it of any use to the state, if you just abuse Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu all the time?" Somireddy asked.
He went on to add, "Speak against the Centre at least once if you dare. Have you once held a meeting and spoken out about injustice meted out to the state by the Centre? They are not supporting the development of backward regions in the state and yet, you are silent. Are you scared of the Centre?"
The Andhra Minister also objected to the language used by Pawan.
Reading out some of the words he used, Somireddy said, "Looking at the language you are using, RSS is better. At least they are disciplined and organised and leave after they finish their work. Will you include such language in your manifesto tomorrow? As someone who is in politics, you need to consider this. It is unfortunate."
"We have all seen your films and everyone accepts you as an actor. We also have no problem with that. But when you have established a political party, you need to behave with more responsibility and introspect. That's our only wish," he added.
On Monday, Pawan conducted a parade from Pichuka Lanka to Dowleswaram along with thousands of people. Addressing the gathering, Pawan had said that the TDP failed in providing employment to the youth as it had promised and also accused Naidu to failing to fulfil his election manifesto.
“I am touched by seeing this sea of humanity. I am honoured to have people like you coming from distant places to take part in the event and listen to my words. Now, I am confident that our party would get a good number of seats and voted to power,” he was quoted as saying.
Pawan had campaigned for the TDP-BJP combine in 2014 but all three parties have since fallen out with each other over political disagreements.