Pawan Kalyan had said that Konaseema faced “Naradishti” from people of Telangana and that this was the reason the united Andhra Pradesh was divided.
His remarks sparked anger, but at first BRS leaders barely responded. When a reporter asked BRS leader Jagadish Reddy about it, he gave a short reply and moved on.
Congress, however, picked up the issue strongly. Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy warned that Pawan Kalyan’s films would not be screened in Telangana unless he apologised.
Several other Congress leaders also attacked Pawan Kalyan for his comments.
Only after Congress created noise did BRS start giving statements against Pawan Kalyan. The irony is that BRS built its identity on protecting Telangana pride.
Naturally people expected BRS to be the first to respond when someone from a neighbouring state hurt Telangana sentiments. Instead, the party stayed silent and reacted much later.
This has led many to question whether BRS has lost its political sharpness or whether the party no longer carries the Telangana sentiment in its heart.
