When the political atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh was heating up following the tour of YSR Congress party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to the politically volatile Palnadu district on Wednesday, where his party workers created a tense atmosphere, there was a complete silence in Jana Sena Party camp, headed by deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan.
The Telugu Desam Party leaders were left for themselves to counter the allegations made by Jagan and condemn the provocative placards displayed by the YSRCP workers saying: “We would chop off their heads “Rappa, Rappa” as is done with sheep at Gangamma Thalli Jatara, once the YSRCP comes back to power in 2029.”
Even when these violence-instigating slogans and statements made by the YSRCP cadre and the way Jagan defended such comments at his press conference on Thursday evoked a big debate on social media, Pawan Kalyan and his party remained silent.
Finally, it was only on Friday that Pawan Kalyan issued a statement condemning the provocative slogans of the YSRCP cadre.
He said the government will not spare anyone disturbing law and order, and it has already issued clear instructions regarding it.
Reacting to the alleged provocative gestures made during Jagan’s visit to Palnadu, he said cinema dialogues might impress those uttering them, but there was no place for the kind of comments made by the YSRCP leaders and their supporters in a democracy.
Pawan Kalyan insisted that everyone should follow the law of the land, and said the police were told to sternly deal with those causing unrest in society through their actions and words.
He expressed the government’s commitment to cracking down on anti-social elements.
The coalition government would, under no circumstances, tolerate activities that posed a threat to peace and security, the deputy chief minister asserted.
He stated that rowdy-sheets would be opened against individuals resorting to illegal activities and making incendiary remarks.
People must be vigilant about it and refrain, even inadvertently, from supporting the anti-social forces as it was also a crime punishable under law.
