Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Chandrapur: Janasena Party head and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said on Sunday that the followers of Sanatan Dharma would respond to those disrespecting it, and called Chhatrapati Shivaji and Bal Thackeray the inspiration behind his outfit.
He was addressing a rally in Ballarpur to campaign for Mahayuti candidate and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections.
“The people of Old City (Hyderabad) have always criticised the Indian culture and the festivals of India. However, followers of Sanatan Dharma have always respected everyone irrespective of their religion. Followers of Sanatan Dharma, however, will respond to those who disrespect it,” said the actor.
Hailing the legendary Maratha king Shivaji and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, he said they united people. “My party was founded with the inspiration of Shivaji Maharaj and Balasaheb Thackeray,” Pawan Kalyan said.
The actor-turned-politician said he was glad to be in Ballarpur which provided teakwood for the Ayodhya Ram temple. “I’m here to appeal to the citizens to extend support for the development of Maharashtra and Sanatan Dharma, not for votes.” The ally of the BJP said India is currently the fifth-largest economy in the world and the NDA government at the Centre is striving to take to the third position. “This march of progress should not be halted and everyone should cast their vote to elect the right candidate,” he said.
In Ballarpur, Mungantiwar is contesting against Congress’ Santoshsingh Chandansingh Rawat.
Pawan Kalyan also claimed that India won’t be strong without the support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), recalling the Sangh’s work during floods in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore when he was in school.
“There are plenty of people who want to divide the country. However, we should be united to make India strong by respecting the local people and their culture,” he said.
The NDA government has focused on developing India as well as Maharashtra and connected every city with development projects, he said. NDA is also committed to making Maharashtra a $1 trillion economy by 2028, he said.
He also took part in a roadshow in Chandrapur in support of BJP candidate Kishore Jorgewar, who is pitted against Pravin Padwekar of Congress.
Earlier, addressing a rally in Latur city on Saturday, Kalyan assured of efforts to launch air and rail services between Latur and Tirupati.
Assembly Elections 2024 | The Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place against the backdrop of a fractured political landscape in the western state where the Shiv Sena and NCP will be going up against the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions, even as the BJP and Congress try to make their mark. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM faces a new challenge after Hemant Soren's recent arrest and Champai, a longstanding party member, joining the BJP. The Haryana election resulted in a shock loss for Congress, which was looking to galvanize on the Lok Sabha poll performance, while J&K also saw the grand old party eventually stepping away from the cabinet, with Omar Abdullah's JKNC forming government. It remains to be seen if the upcoming polls help BJP cement its position further or provide a fillip to I.N.D.I.A. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.
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