Congress villain of the piece: Pawan

TRS supremo’s threats will not go unchallenged, he says. Giving the reasons which made him float the new party, Pavan said: "During the last 10 years, I am fed up with this corrupt political system.

Founder of Jana Sena Party and Telugu cinema actor Pawan Kalyan addressing the first public meeting of the party after its formation organised at Indira Priyadarshini Municipal Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.-- Photo:C_V_SUBRAHMANYAM.

The public meeting of actor and Jana Sena founder Pawan Kalyan had all the trappings of a film function with huge screens erected on the ground, movie cameras and lights. Pawan, who arrived one-and-a-half hours behind schedule, was greeted with a thunderous applause as he went up the stage. He acknowledged the cheers with folded hands.

Pawan devoted a greater part of his hour-long speech to lash out at the Congress for bifurcating the State and the need to fight against the corrupt political system. He said that the Congress had destroyed the integrity of not only Andhra Pradesh but also of the nation. Recalling the words of the Telugu poet Maha Kavi Gurajada Appa Rao, he said for the Congress leaders it was ‘Desamante, Congress High Command’.

Giving the reasons which made him float the new party, Pavan said: “During the last 10 years, I am fed up with this corrupt political system. I want to pull up all such political gamblers, who change their ‘kanduva’ colours during every election and those who promote caste and communal politics. This corrupt political system should be pulled out by its roots.”

He said that he had floated the party to recognise and promote selfless and principled leaders. He called for a total revolution to put the nation on the path of progress.

In an obvious reference to KCR, he said that statements of some leaders that they would attack and not allow people of Seemandhra to come to their region, would not be taken lying down. “Though I believe in Gandhian principles, even the Mahatma had asked us not to tolerate injustice. We are capable of hitting such people on both cheeks, if they hit us on one cheek,” he said.

All praise for Modi

Referring to his meeting with BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, he said that he found an able leader in Mr. Modi, who could oppose injustice without any fear. He expressed total support to Mr. Modi. “I will not fight elections this time though I have floated a new party. The party has no recognition. I also do not want to split votes. I will not ask you to vote for any particular party but vote for those who can take the nation forward. I have neither taken a single rupee from anyone nor did I ask anyone for positions, if you can prove it, I will quit politics.”