'Follow Yogi model': Pawan Kalyan dares Andhra Home Minister, TDP

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has issued a warning to state Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha as he criticised the police department over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Janasena chief Kalyan, speaking at a rally at Gollaprolu his constituency Pithapuram, said he would be forced to take over the Home department if Anitha does not discharge her duties properly.

Anitha belongs to the TDP, part of the ruling NDA alliance of BJP, TDP, and Janasena in Andhra Pradesh.

Kalyan criticises police

“I am telling home minister Anitha too. You are the Home Minister. I am the Panchayati Raj minister, Forest and Environment minister. Discharge your duties well or I will be forced to take over home department as well,” Kalyan said.

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His comments came in response to recent law and order issues, particularly following the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl by a relative in Tirupati district.

Criticising the police, the actor-politician claimed that law enforcement has neglected its duty to uphold law and order, asserting that criminals have no caste or religion.

"How many times should we tell police officials? Why should caste obstruct an arrest? Why are you bringing up caste when a three-year-old girl is raped and murdered? What are you saying? You studied IPS; did the Indian Penal Code instruct you to support criminals?" he questioned the police.

Kalyan said action against criminals should be taken like how it is in Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

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“Political leaders, MLAs are not just here to ask for votes. You have responsibilities too. Everybody needs to think... It is not that I cannot ask for or take the home department. If I do, things will be very different for these people. To deal with criminals, you need to be like Yogi Adityanath... We have to be like Yogi Adityanath. Until then they will not listen. You are pushing us into that kind of situation. So decide if you will change or not,” he added.

Targeting YSRCP leaders, Kalyan accused them of "defending" rape threats on social media as "freedom of speech".

Advice to police

Directly addressing the DGP, senior police officials, and district collectors, the Deputy CM emphasised that law and order is essential for development and urged them not to overlook this responsibility.

Advising police not to shield anyone based on caste or connections, Kalyan affirmed that he does not endorse such biases.

He also cautioned NDA alliance leaders from TDP, BJP, and Janasena to avoid playing "individual games." While acknowledging that one or two leaders might cause issues, he assured that "no one could disrupt the NDA alliance among BJP, TDP, and Janasena." Responding to Pawan Kalyan's comments, Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana said the Deputy CM said something based on what happened there (in Pithapuram) and the Home Minister would also take action against it.

"Whether it is CM or Deputy CM, they can comment if some department does not function properly and automatically they are alerted. There may be some legal hurdles for police to undertake certain acts. There may be delays due to that," he said.

Janasena's new wing to protect Sanatana Dharma

Meanwhile, Kalyan on Saturday said he has set up a new wing in his Janasena party 'Narasimha Varahi Ganam' to protect Sanatana Dharma.

"I am starting a separate wing in Janasena for Sanatana Dharma protection and naming it as Narasimha Varahi Ganam," said Kalyan in a press release.

Further, Kalyan asserted that he respects all the religions and follows his own Hindu religion.

Kalyan, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, recently announced the forming of a new wing during his visit to Eluru district.

(With agency inputs)