Congress leaders hit out at Pawan; Chiru cautious

Differing with his brother on reasons for bifurcation, Chiru says no force can bury Congress

Chairman of Congress party’s election campaign committee in the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh K. Chiranjeevi with party colleagues Anam Ramanarayana Reddy and Panabaka Lakshmi in Hyderabad on Saturday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

A day after actor Pavan Kalyan’s scathing attack on the Congress during the launch of his Jana Sena Party, senior Congress leaders hit out at the star on Saturday. His brother, former Union Minister K. Chiranjeevi, however, was cautious in his reaction.

Mr. Chiranjeevi differed with his brother’s views that the Congress was responsible for the division of the State. He said the Congress took the decision to divide Andhra Pradesh only after all the parties had given their nod. He said it pained him when his brother accused the Congress of dividing the State. He went on to say that no force could bury the Congress.

‘His personal decision’

On the Jana Sena, he said launching a new party was Mr. Kalyan’s personal decision. Stating that Mr. Kalyan did not discuss the launch of the party with him, he said it has to seen as how Mr. Kalyan would run the new party. He hastened to add that he saw some drive in his brother to do something for society.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee working president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy dismissed Mr. Kalyan’s outburst as childish behaviour. “He delivered cinema dialogues but why did he remain silent all these years when the demand for Telangana was at its peak,” he asked.

TPCC vice-president Md. Ali Shabbir compared the launch of Jana Sena Party to screening of a two-hour movie. Claiming that he would not refer to the actor’s personal life, Mr Shabbir said the father of one of the wives of Mr. Kalyan had approached him for help. Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the tone and tenor of Pavan’s speech was not proper.

Hidden agenda: Ponguleti

Rajya Sabha member T. Subbarami Reddy said the actor should understand the facts and circumstances leading to the bifurcation of the State. Appreciating the aims and objectives of the new party, Mr. Reddy said the former had misunderstood the Congress’ commitment to statehood for Telangana.

MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy alleged that there was a hidden agenda behind the launch of Jana Sena. Telangana Congress MPs, Ponnam Prabhakar and S. Rajaiah, warned the actor against using abusive language against the Congress leadership.

Former Ministers P. Balaraju and Kondru Murali Mohan also joined issue, saying Mr. Kalyan lacked understanding of the society. Former Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said the actor tried to misguide the youth and insulted women, while former Minister Dokka Manikya Varaprasad said kneejerk reactions would not render justice to people.