Jana Sena Party chief and actor Pawan Kalyan on Friday launched a broadside at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, regretting that it was yet to keep its promise of according special status to Andhra Pradesh, even nine months after the State was bifurcated.
A day after he visited the capital region of A.P. and interacted with people, he spoke to the media here and explained how he was saddened by the fact that poor farmers who had no other livelihood would soon be deprived of their land after they harvested one more crop. While it was good to note that 95 per cent of the farmers had willingly given up their land for the capital, he urged the government to see if it could exempt three or four villages from land pooling where the farmers feel their land was much more valuable than the package offered by the government.
“I am not against any political party or government. I am only seeking justice for the farmers, especially those who raised three crops on their land,” he said, referring to the statement made by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that lands where multiple crops were grown, could not be acquired.
“Instead of taking over the entire land at one go, the government can go ahead in phases. All I am saying is that while the construction of the actual buildings are going on, farmers can be allowed to grow a few more crops in the remaining areas,” he said.
Dig at Naidu
“Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu seemed enamoured and apparently committed to adopt the Singapore model of development, but does it require 33,000 acres? It requires committed leadership regardless of whichever party is in power. We have to realise that there is immense political corruption in the country. Can the State government give protection, assure a bright future for the farmers and their children?” he asked, recalling that it took over two decades for Singapore to be developed the way it is, today.
Future plans
Asked about his future plans and if he would take to the agitational path in support of the people, Mr. Pawan Kalyan replied that he had visited the people in the capital region and was now using the media to highlight their problems.
“Let us see how the Centre and State governments react and then I will decide accordingly,” he said.
