dy cm Pawan Kalyan slams caste politics

Metro India News | AMARAVATI :

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan launched a sharp attack on caste-based politics, asserting that no criminal should be defended merely because of caste identity. Addressing the Jana Sena Party’s Sarathula Samachara Sekarana Committee meeting, Pawan said politics built around shielding offenders in the name of caste was dangerous for society and vowed that his party would firmly oppose such practices.

Referring to the ongoing Sai Krishna missing case, Pawan questioned attempts to portray the accused through a caste lens. He said he understood the emotional pain of the accused’s family, but stressed that such sympathy could not justify extending political or social support to a person facing serious criminal allegations. The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that the YSR Congress Party was deliberately encouraging caste-based divisions for political gains and was using leaders from the Kapu community to target him politically.

Declaring that he would never build his political career around caste identity, Pawan said, “My caste is India. Caste is a social reality that deserves respect within society, but it should never become the foundation of public life or politics. Once we step into public service, humanity and the nation must come first.” He also called upon Backward Classes (BCs) to unite politically instead of depending on others for representation. Observing that BC communities constitute nearly half the state’s population, he said they had the strength to become decision-makers if they remained united rather than fragmented.

Pawan further stated that Jana Sena’s newly constituted committee was created to identify dedicated grassroots workers who had silently served the party for years without recognition. The committee, he clarified, would function transparently by gathering information on committed cadre rather than selecting leaders. Criticizing the previous YSRCP government, Pawan said governance could not be reduced to welfare transfers alone. Development of roads, hospitals, infrastructure and public institutions was equally essential for sustainable growth.

He asserted that the NDA government was committed to balancing welfare with development and institutional strengthening. Concluding his address, Pawan challenged his political opponents, saying Jana Sena would continue to grow regardless of criticism. “Whether you stop attacking us or continue doing so, we will only become stronger. The choice is yours,” he declared.