No need for Jallikattu-style stir for special status: Andhra CM

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday attacked filmstar and Jana Sena Party President Pawan Kalyan over the latter's call for a "Jallikattu-style" agitation for securing special category status to the state.

Without taking Kalyan's name at a press conference here this afternoon, the Chief Minister asked "why should we take up a Jallikattu-style agitation? What is the link between Jallikattu and SCS (securing special category)? Jallikattu is just a rural game.

"I am tactfully and strategically going ahead. Have I compromised on anything? We have got special economic package akin to SCS, then why this fight now," Chandrababu questioned.

"I will myself strongly fight if any injustice is done to the state," the Chief Minister asserted.

"Will Andhras ever learn? If the political class of AP had shown this kind of solidarity, AP would have got its promised special category status long back.

"But politicians, who are high on business interests and low on political commitment, have denied AP its promised special category status. But I strongly believe that it's only politicians who have compromised and not the general public. Jana Sena is with them (people)," Kalyan said in a series of tweets two days ago, adding the "Jallikattu agitation" should be taken as an inspiration.

Other opposition parties, too, echoed similar views.

Congress member of Rajya Sabha K V P Ramachandra Rao wrote a letter to the Chief Minister, asking the latter to lead a movement for SCS.

"If a movement is launched under your leadership, all political parties, media, industry, film industry and other sectors and intellectuals besides students and youth will follow you," he said.

Following Kalyan's tweets, some youths announced they would take up a protest programme on the Visakhapatnam beach on Republic Day and the actor promptly extended his support.

Referring to this, the Chief Minister appealed to youths to stay away from such programmes and asked them to behave responsibly.

"Some people are trying to use you," he warned the youths.