BRS-Janasena row escalates over Telangana identity:KTR says state belongs to its people
Hyderabad, June 4 (TNT): A political war of words has erupted between Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan over Telangana identity and regional politics, adding a fresh dimension to the evolving political equations between the two Telugu-speaking states.
The controversy was triggered by Pawan Kalyan’s declaration that Jana Sena would establish its presence in Telangana and contest future elections in the state.
Addressing a public meeting in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Pawan asserted his right to participate in Telangana politics and accused certain sections of promoting regional divisions.
“Who are you to tell me not to come to Telangana? Is Telangana anyone’s personal estate? This is India. I can travel to any part of my country. Do I need a passport to enter another state?” he asked, while maintaining that regional hatred was more dangerous than terrorism.
Pawan’s remarks drew a strong response from KTR, who used a “Meet the Press” programme organised by the Press Club Hyderabad on Wednesday during Telangana Formation Week celebrations to defend Telangana’s statehood sentiment and counter what he termed attempts to undermine the aspirations of the Telangana movement.
“Telangana is the jagir of its four crore people. It belongs to those who fought and sacrificed for six decades to achieve statehood,” KTR said, asserting that the state’s identity was rooted in decades of struggle and sacrifice.
While making it clear that BRS was not opposed to any political party contesting elections in Telangana, KTR objected to what he described as attempts to lecture Telangana on issues of identity and self-respect.
“We respect Pawan Kalyan as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and as an actor. If he comes here, we will welcome him warmly. But we will not accept anyone trying to dictate terms to Telangana,” he said.
In a direct rebuttal to Pawan’s criticism of regionalism, KTR questioned whether the movement led by Potti Sriramulu for a separate Andhra State should also be viewed through the same lens.
“If regionalism is dangerous, was Potti Sriramulu’s fast for Andhra State wrong?” he asked.
The BRS leader also attempted to shift the debate towards the Centre, accusing the BJP-led government of practising “economic regionalism” by favouring Gujarat in industrial investments.
Significantly, KTR rejected suggestions that Telangana was hostile to leaders from outside the state, noting that Jana Sena had contested the 2023 Assembly elections in Telangana and that TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu had campaigned and contested elections in the state without opposition.
“Anyone can contest elections anywhere in India. That is a constitutional right. Nobody stopped Jana Sena then and nobody is stopping them now,” he said.
KTR further sought to corner the ruling Congress government in Telangana, clarifying that the denial of permission for a proposed Jana Sena public meeting was a decision of the Congress administration and had nothing to do with BRS.
The exchange assumes political significance as Jana Sena signals its intention to expand into Telangana ahead of the 2029 Assembly elections, while BRS seeks to reclaim ownership of Telangana sentiment after its defeat in the 2023 Assembly polls.
Political observers view the latest confrontation as the opening round of a larger battle over Telangana identity, regional pride and political space, with both Jana Sena and BRS attempting to shape the narrative ahead of future electoral contests.
TNT TS
