Amid controversy over the demand for a special category status for Andhra Pradesh, actor-politician and Janasena party president Pawan Kalyan said it is unfortunate that Union government does not pay attention to the needs of the southern states.
Speaking to the editor-in-chief of The News Minute, Dhanya Rajendran, Kalyan accused the central government of stalling the growth of Andhra Pradesh, especially after bifurcation, and called on the political and media leadership in the country to pay special focus on the cultural assimilation of the northern and southern states.
He said, “If sub-region issues could separate a state, can you imagine the magnitude of disparity between south and north? Government should definitely focus more on the cultural assimilation.”
Pawan, younger brother of superstar and Congress leader Chiranjeevi, also ruled out any dealings with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) till the state's demands are met.
The actor had been targeting Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ever since it accepted a special package from the BJP-led NDA government last year in lieu of the special category status.
TDP is resorting to convenience politics.Pawan Kalyan told The News Minute.
Pawan also alleged that unlike Telangana leaders, Andhra leaders are not decisive and that they have vested interests.
The attack comes amid the allegations by the TDP that Pawan has entered into a secret understanding with the BJP. TDP president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had criticised the actor for making corruption allegations against the TDP government, instead of targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not fulfilling the promise of a special status.
Pawan had been addressing a series of meetings to target TDP. He had also described the special package as a "stale laddu".
Meanwhile, reacting sharply to Pawan's latest remarks on special status, state minister Amarnath Reddy said this proved beyond doubt that he is playing into the hands of the BJP.
TDP last week pulled out of NDA, accusing the BJP of not fulfilling the commitments made to the state, especially granting special category status.
(With IANS inputs)
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