Pawan Kalyan on Kapu quota, RGV, true love
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Pawan Kalyan gives the toughest interview in recent times to a 24/7 TV news channel. In this chat, he talks about choosing the BJP to support, his take on KCR and CBN, his future strategy, whether he will join the BJP, what he thinks of RGV's comments about him and so on.
With what strategy are you going forward with the aim of becoming the Chief Minister after the 2019 polls?
I have always wanted to take up issues that affect the people. I wanted to be an alternative political voice in our multi-party democratic system. If I had been after positions, I would have contested for MLA or MP from PRP or in the 2014 polls.
In a recent interview, you said that you are ready to die fighting politically. Given this, why are you being a mere campaigner?
I felt that the effect of PRP in 2009, when neither PRP nor TDP benefitted, had to be undone in 2014. I also wanted to support experienced leadership. I have neither experience nor an organization. I also wanted to speak up for those hurt by the bifurcation of the State. Societal good comes first for me. The reason I said I am ready to die is because I know the consequences of talking fearlessly can be fatal.
At a time when all parties are mired in corruption, do you want to support someone or be an alternative?
I have financial constraints. I am not here to hold the umbrella for any. I am here to travel for another 10 years and see how it unfolds. I don't have experience.
Election fever is going to start in another year or so. What is your political strategy?
I don't know what is strategising and all. I look at whether I can give up my film career and stand up to those who might theaten me.
When are you giving up your film career?
I am ready right now. There are certain commitments. I am telling my producers, who are also my friends, that I may quit anytime.
You launched Jana Sena, but there is no organizational set-up till date.
I am first for going into the people. It's easy for me to create an organization and fill up posts. But I want committed people.
Are you cozying up to Chiranjeevi after years?
There is no personal rivalry between us. When the Chief Ministers of AP and Telangana can sit together and decide consensually keeping in mind the interest of their respective States, what stops two brothers from doing it. Annayya has chosen a path. I have chosen a different path.
Annayya is with Congress. Tammudu is with BJP. Isn't it?
I supported the BJP because it's the only alternative to Congress. There is no third front. I have no special love toward BJP.
RSS sources are saying that the day when Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan will work together to strengthen the BJP in AP is not far away.
Jana Sena will always ben Jana Sena. I will never join the BJP. I will never kill the identity of Jana Sena. The party belongs to Telugu people.
There is a dialogue in SGS: "Kulam gurinchi matladi naku chiraku teppinchaku. Kapu kasinappudu kulam gurthu raleda? Avasam teerina tarvata kulam gurinchi matladdam saraindena?" Is it a political message?
It was needed by the script. (Laughs).
Are you for quota to Kapus?
It's easy to take a stand and speak. But I don't want to do that. Debates involving all stakeholders must be held. Kapus indeed need quota but we need to tread cautiously. Quota for Kapus is not my agenda. We will take a stand after forming an organization.
How do you rate the governance of KCR and CBN?
They are treading cautiously. Coming to TRS, I often wonder if they need to poach candidates from other parties. TRS came out of people's movement. As for the AP CM, I have a mixed opinion. He is well-meaning. But from bureaucrats and others, I am hearing that he is not able to do some things because of some people. I feel it's unwanted diversion to poach the MLAs of YSRCP.
What is your analysis of the BJP?
More than the BJP, I feel that Narendra Modi garu was is right candidate. Regarding Modi's dalliance regarding packages to AP, I am not for politicking. Politicking has brought things to this bad state. If there comes a time when I will differ with the Centre, I will definitely rethink my association.
Are you uncomfortable that BJP has changed its stance regarding special category status to AP after coming to power?
Yes, I am definitely uncomfortable. If you cant' do, tell that. Don't fool the people.
You have commented that Aamir Khan shouldn't have dithered after making the "intolerance" remark. What is your view on the intolerance debate?
I didn't like the way the debate was methodically manufactured. Why is the debate being made in such a way as to target one side? Why are they not talking keeping in mind the national interest? They are only after particular individuals and a party. Forgetting all that, if you create a sustained campaign saying intolerance is growing, it will create unnecessary paranoia. They didn't talk in the past. Why?
You have described the Rohith Vemula issue as a students' issue. But many activists feel that it's symptomatic of the social problem of caste oppression.
In the past, a student activist belonging to the Dalit community came to me and spoke about some incidents where Dalits were victimized. I feel it has always been there and Rohith Vemula's is not a new phenomenon. I know some Dalit scholars who have studied this for many years. Yes, there is discrimination against Dalits. But this problem can't be solved immediately. We should question our conscience. Aside from caste, we should address the issue from other perspectives.
Is caste a necessary evil, as you have said?
Caste is a delicate issue. It's ubiquitous and we are full of it. We should start to change things from individual level. But when you go to people and deny caste, they may not react favourably. I think if
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