Andhra's Law and Order Situation Will Be Different If I Become State Home Minister: Pawan Kalyan

Amravati: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday expressed concern over law and order situation in state and said if he was state home minister, "things would be different", remarks seen as direct criticism of Vangalapudi Anitha, who is holding department currently.

Addressing a public meeting at Gollaprolu in Pithapuram constituency, Kalyan also asked Anitha to meet public’s expectations.

Referring to UP CM Yogi Adityanath 's model for law and order, Kalyan said, "se criminals should be dealt in same fashion as Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. Until n y will t listen. You are pushing us into that kind of situation." Janasena chief is holding Panchayat Raj, Forest, and Environment departments in TDP's Chandrababu-led alliance government in state.

"I am telling Home Minister Anitha, you are Home Minister…please take on responsibilities of Home Ministry. If I take up Home portfolio, things will be different; remember that," Kalyan remarked, which is also seen as a hint that he has authority to assume that role if necessary.

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

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

Criticising police, actor-politician claimed that law enforcement has neglected its duty to uphold law and order, asserting that criminals have 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 Indian Penal Code instruct you to support criminals?" he questioned police.

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

Directly addressing DGP, senior police officials, and district collectors, Deputy CM emphasised that law and order is essential for development and urged m t to overlook this responsibility.

Advising police t to shield anyone based on caste or connections, Kalyan affirmed that he does t endorse such biases.

He also cautioned NDA alliance leaders from TDP, BJP, and Janasena to avoid playing "individual games." While ackwledging that one or two leaders might cause issues, he assured that " one could disrupt NDA alliance among BJP, TDP, and Janasena." Responding to Pawan Kalyan's comments, Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana said Deputy CM said something based on what happened re (in Pithapuram) and Home Minister would also take action against it.

"Wher it is CM or Deputy CM, y can comment if some department does t function properly and automatically y are alerted. re may be some legal hurdles for police to undertake certain acts. re may be delays due to that," he said.