Pawan Kalyan To Go On Fast Over Land Takeover By AP

Actor and Jana Sena founder-president Pawan Kalyan today said that he was ready to hold a dharna and undertake a hunger strike if the TDP government of Andhra Pradesh acquired farmers' lands against their will for the construction of the state's new capital in Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a meeting after hearing the problems of the farmers, Kalyan said that there were land scams, including Vanpik, during the regime of the late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, and if similar incidents took place now, "What is the deference between YSR and the present ruler of AP?"

"I was asked to speak by TDP leader Balram on the Vanpik land scam during the elections campaign, but now you (TDP) are indulging in the same act," Kalyan said, and questioned, "How can you repeat the same mistake committed by previous government?"

He added, "We will have to face new problems in future if we lose agriculture lands as food security would be another major problem for us."

Making it clear that he was not against the development of a new capital, Kalyan said that the land acquisition process should not be forceful, and that a state capital should be developed on a happy note and not be a curse for many farmers.

"If we fail to solve problems by negotiation, the people will invade the roads," he warned.

The Jana Sena president also clarified that he was not in favour of any political party or individual, but was in favour of the people, and wanted a Grama Swaraj as dreamt of by the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi.

Kalyan said, "You (TDP) should understand why I support you."

Pawan said he was ready to launch hunger strike if farmers' lands were taken over without their consent.