Calling for accountability in public life, Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan on Saturday said he was extended many political favours during his long career but never accepted them and what he had always stressed was the need for good governance to the people and overall societal development.
“I respectfully said no to the request of BJP National President Amit Shah to join their party. Different sorts of favours were offered to me but it would be political opportunism had I taken advantage of the same,” he told party activists.
During his day-long visit to Ongole, Mr. Pawan addressed the activists belonging to the Prakasam and Nellore districts at the A1 Function Hall and recalled the days when he studied in both the towns in his childhood.
As the young enthusiasts kept chanting ‘CM’ at the meeting, Mr. Pawan told them that it would take a lot of experience to become and effectively discharge the functions of a Chief Minister and that “I would not become CM just because of your chants.”
He wanted solidarity and harmony among all the castes to achieve goals like getting special status for the newly created State as promised at the time of bifurcation. “The Centre owed an explanation on why this demand was not yet met. It would not be possible with one person like me to bring pressure and all should come together.”
Repeatedly referring to the needs of youth, Mr. Pawan said he entered the political arena just to ensure development and welfare of the future generations and not for any narrow-minded gains.
He said he thought of politics right when he was studying Intermediate and a time should come in the near future when the people should have no fear of politics which would be possible with advocacy of discipline, accountability and responsibility.
Saying he had swallowed many insults, Mr. Pawan said some Telugu Desam leaders had spread a rumour that his opponents humiliated him by tonsuring his head which was a lie. “I know the leaders who were behind this dirty trick. But I had forgotten all such things just for the sake of the greater good of everyone. We must show composure and restraint,” he added.
Boat tragedy
Mr. Pawan met and consoled the family members of the victims of the ghastly boat tragedy in the Krishna river in which 18 pilgrims had lost their lives a few weeks ago.
He expressed deep grief saying nothing could bring back the lives of the victims but precautionary measures should be taken and action should be initiated against those responsible for the human error.
Dig at Akhila Priya
Mr. Pawan found fault with Minister for Tourism Bhuma Akhila Priya for not visiting the victims’ families despite the fact that she personally knew how painful it would be to lose many members in the families.
