Pawan’s kavathu (march past) at Dowleswaram barrage in East Godavari raised lot of expectations among common people and political circles, as everybody waited eagerly as to what Jana Senani would speak at this Praja Porata Yatra public meeting today.
There were more numbers of youth, fans and his party’s die-hard activists who kept cheering their leader and showering flowers on him all through. They made it an impressive show in accordance with their statements in past few days.
Pawan’s long speech was mainly aimed at criticising AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and his minister-son Lokesh. He also made allegations against YCP and BJP to say that he was not attached to any party secretly.
His answer appears to be to TDP’s leaders’ allegation that Pawan has been acting in such a way so as to support YCP and BJP agenda in 2019 elections. All through his speech, Pawan spoke in defence of his actions in the past four years when he gradually distanced his party from TDP government.
He made an unsparing attack on Chandrababu, saying that he had failed to create enough jobs as per his goal of generating 2 crore jobs under Vision 2020 and PM Modi was no exception in this regard. So much corruption is taking place in the name of Janmabhoomi Committees which turned into ‘goonda committees’, he added.
Pawan’s continued attacks angered TDP and YCP leaders who began asking as to why Jana Senani started making personal attacks rather than highlighting the more important issues of Special Status for AP, state division promises and Central funds. Kavathu speech triggered immediate TV debates raising concerns over diversion of Jana Sena path into a different direction.
At one time in his speech, Pawan used harsh language and threatened to throw TDP and YCP leadership into Godavari river if they do not stop carrying out an misinformation campaign. He accused Chandrababu of not inviting him during his 29 visits to Delhi for Special Status. He also charged Jagan with trying to spread his native culture of factionism in Godavari districts, which would not be allowed any more. He said Jana Sena activists would stand for law and order but they would quickly hit back if rival leaders use threatening tactics.
Mainly in a defensive mood, Pawan said his party would never stay away from people’s issues such as strengthening panchayat raj system in villages, supporting small employees and small businessmen and vendors in streets. He tried a lot to remove his name from the tagline BJP for ‘Bharatiya Jagan Pawan’ (BJP) Party.
Pawan strongly criticised Chandrababu for frequently referring to him as a cine actor. He asked CM, “When Lokesh could aspire for CM post despite not having any experience, why can’t a constable’s son like Pawan become CM? I am proud to say that I am a grandson of a postman. It is my strong desire to be on the side of people and uproot the crippled political system.”
As Pawan kept speaking out his ideals in a high-pitched tone, Jana Sena youth kept interrupting his speech with their slogans and shouting. Those in front of the dais were more interested in clicking photos of the matinee idol in their smartphones instead of listening to his speech.
Sometimes, Pawan turned emotional using an angry tone, using such words as ‘thata theestam’ (we will peel off skin) and ‘thanni thagalestham’ (we will beat and burn you).
Without doubt, Pawan’s kavathu speech raised political temperatures in the entire state.