Hyderabad, 5th October 2024: Five months after the coalition of the Telugu Desam Party, JanaSena Party, and Bharatiya Janata Party secured power in Andhra Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister and JanaSena leader Pawan Kalyan has directed sharp criticism at Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s administration, particularly regarding the state’s law and order situation.

In a surprising outburst on Monday, Kalyan voiced significant concerns about the alarming rise in crimes against women and children in Andhra Pradesh. He described this issue as a continuation of the “legacy” left by the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party government and pointed out the police’s “lethargy” in addressing offenders under the current regime.

Kalyan specifically referenced the tragic case of a 3.5-year-old girl who was raped and murdered by her maternal uncle in Tirupati on Friday, expressing outrage over the consideration of caste by even senior police officials in such grave matters.

Chief Minister Naidu personally oversees the law and order portfolio, while TDP legislator Anitha Vangalapudi is responsible for home affairs and disaster management. Kalyan emphasized the crucial role of maintaining law and order for development, subtly critiquing Naidu’s focus on industrial investments since assuming office in June.

Naidu had stated over the weekend that those committing atrocities against women would face severe repercussions, suggesting public hangings for offenders if permitted by law. In response to Naidu’s comments, Kalyan publicly criticized the director general of police, district superintendents, collectors, and home minister Vangalapudi, urging them to fulfil their responsibilities toward protecting women and children.

“If I were in charge of the home department, the approach would be different. Criminals should be treated as CM Yogi Adityanath has done in Uttar Pradesh,” Kalyan declared during a public event in his constituency of Pithapuram. Kalyan oversees various portfolios, including Panchayati Raj, rural development, and environmental affairs, alongside fellow JSP ministers Nadendla Manohar (civil supplies) and Kandula Durgesh (tourism) in Naidu’s cabinet.

Kalyan issued a clear warning to YSRCP leaders, asserting that while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is not seeking vengeance, it will not be seen as “timid or toothless.”

Although Kalyan’s comments have stirred controversy within the ruling alliance, he insisted that the “people-oriented” NDA coalition remains resilient against internal or external pressures.

In response, YSRCP leader and former finance minister Buggana Rajendranath questioned Kalyan’s criticism, pointing out that the home portfolio belongs to Vangalapudi and that law and order is the responsibility of the Chief Minister. He emphasized Kalyan’s role as both an ally and Deputy Chief Minister.

A senior JSP figure noted that Kalyan’s “stinging remarks” serve as a crucial wake-up call for the government regarding broader issues. He remarked that there is considerable dissatisfaction not just within JSP but also among TDP leaders and supporters, who feel that Naidu has not pursued YSRCP leaders and officials involved in corruption and exploitation of resources.

This discontent, the JSP leader suggested, has emboldened the YSRCP, likening the party to a “nearly dead snake” that is beginning to “hiss” again.

During the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections earlier this year, the TDP-JSP-BJP coalition decisively defeated the YSRCP, reducing Jagan Mohan Reddy’s party from 151 seats to just 11 out of 175.

The JSP leader also pointed out that, despite sacrificing several candidacies for the alliance’s benefit, the party received only three of approximately 20 nominated positions and a mere three slots on the 24-member Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams trust board, which was recently reconstituted.