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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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
