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Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said she took Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s remarks in a constructive manner, and has spoken to the Janasena leader about the matter
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha reacted to Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s criticism of her handling of the state’s deteriorating law and order situation. (Image: @Anitha_TDP/X)
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Tuesday responded to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s remarks about her and said she took them in a constructive manner. She said she recognises her responsibilities, and has spoken to the Janasena leader about the matter.
“I took his (Kalyan’s) comments positively. His press meet was, in fact, encouraging. He provided a supportive foundation for my work and urged me to be even more assertive. That’s what he communicated,” she told reporters.
Anitha, who belongs to the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), responded to Kalyan’s criticism the previous day of her handling of the state’s deteriorating law and order situation and increased violence against women.
He called her “incompetent” and said he would do her job better, suggesting that “things would be different” if he were the home minister — remarks seen as direct criticism of Anitha. The comments came after recent incidents, including the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl by a relative in Tirupati district.
She, however, stressed that Kalyan did not label her a failure. She noted that he clarified to her that he was referring to the alleged registration of cases based on caste under the previous YSRCP government.
Defending Kalyan, the minister claimed that some people were “unnecessarily politicising” the issue. Further, she underscored that Andhra Pradesh is strict about maintaining law and order. “The Chief Minister is serious that anyone contemplating a crime should fear. He (CM) said we will bring special laws to deter criminal behaviour. This message came directly from the CM,” she said.
The new coalition government comprising the TDP, BJP and Janasena has been in power in Andhra Pradesh for five months now.
‘Whom Are You Questioning’: Opposition On Pawan Kalyan Remarks
Meanwhile, YSRCP leader B Rajendranath sought to know who Pawan Kalyan was questioning. “Whom are you (Kalyan) questioning? You are in power. You are the Deputy Chief Minister. Are you questioning yourself, your government, a particular minister, the CM, or the police department? We do not understand,” he asked during a press conference in Hyderabad.
Rajendranath said while Anitha holds the home department portfolio, law and order is overseen by the CM. He questioned Kalyan’s criticism of the police department’s functioning, reasoning that the government cannot operate without the system in place.
He further advised Kalyan to address crime effectively, while former tourism minister and YSRCP leader RK Roja suggested that the comments reflected “failure” on the part of both the Deputy CM and CM. Further, she alleged that the home minister has become “useless”.
(With PTI inputs)
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Amaravati, India
