Situation will be different if I am state Home Minister: Andhra Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan
Andhra Dy CM hails Yogi model of tackling crime
Pithapuram (Andhra Pradesh), Nov 4: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday expressed concern over the law and order situation in the state and said if he was the state home minister, "things would be different", remarks seen as direct criticism of Vangalapudi Anitha, who is holding the department currently.
Addressing a public meeting at Gollaprolu in the Pithapuram constituency, Kalyan also asked Anitha to meet the public’s expectations.
Referring to UP CM Yogi Adityanath's model for law and order, Kalyan said, "These criminals should be dealt in the same fashion as Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. Until then they will not listen. You are pushing us into that kind of situation."
The Janasena chief is holding the Panchayat Raj, Forest, and Environment departments in the TDP's Chandrababu-led alliance government in the state.
"I am telling Home Minister Anitha, you are the Home Minister…please take on the responsibilities of the Home Ministry. If I take up the Home portfolio, things will be different; remember that," Kalyan remarked, which is also seen as a hint that he has the authority to assume that role if necessary.
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.
Anitha belongs to the TDP, part of the ruling NDA alliance of BJP, TDP, and Janasena in Andhra Pradesh.
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.
Targeting YSRCP leaders, Kalyan accused them of "defending" rape threats on social media as "freedom of speech".
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.
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Hezbollah fires over 180 rockets, other projectiles into Israel, wounding at least 7
Beirut, Nov 24: Hezbollah fired at least 185 rockets and other projectiles into Israel on Sunday, wounding seven people in the group's heaviest barrage in several days, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut while negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war.
Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army centre killed one soldier and wounded 18 others on the southwestern coastal road between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanon's military said. Israel's military expressed regret and said the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah, adding that its operations are directed solely against the Hezbollah group. The strike was under review.
Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanon's military has largely kept to the sidelines.
Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the latest strike as an assault on US-led cease-fire efforts, calling it a “direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts” to end the war.
