Hyderabad: State Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar demanded a Pawan Kalyan apology before the Jana Sena chief holds any public meetings in Telangana.
Addressing a press conference at the MLA camp office in Husnabad on Monday, the minister accused Pawan Kalyan of making remarks in the past that hurt Telangana’s identity and self-respect.
Ponnam said people with Telangana sentiment would not accept such meetings unless Pawan Kalyan first apologised for those comments. He also alleged that the Jana Sena chief was advancing the BJP’s political agenda in Telangana.
The minister further claimed that Pawan Kalyan was attempting to create divisions and disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
Pawan Kalyan apology demand sparks political row
Ponnam alleged that the Jana Sena chief was acting at the direction of the BJP. He questioned why Pawan Kalyan was focusing on Telangana while serving as Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
He also asked why the BJP was not conducting similar programmes in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. According to him, political considerations were driving the proposed meetings in Telangana.
The minister criticised Pawan Kalyan’s stand on issues concerning Andhra Pradesh. He alleged that the Jana Sena leader did not oppose moves to privatise the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant or hand over ports to private entities.
Additionally, he accused Pawan Kalyan of remaining silent on unemployment and the increase in fuel and cooking gas prices.
Ponnam said people may admire Pawan Kalyan as a film actor. However, he warned that any attempt to target Telangana’s identity through politics would face opposition.
He also said everyone was welcome to participate in Telangana Formation Day celebrations. At the same time, he urged political leaders not to create divisions among people for political gain.
పవన్ కళ్యాణ్ తెలంగాణ ప్రజలకు క్షమాపణలు చెప్పిన తరువాతనే నవ నిర్మాణ సభ పెట్టుకోవాలి..
తెలంగాణ అస్థిత్వం,ఆత్మగౌరవం దెబ్బతీసేలా మాట్లాడిన పవన్ కళ్యాణ్ బీజేపీ ఎజెండా మోస్తున్నారు
తెలంగాణ మీద విషం కక్కి తెలంగాణ ప్రజల చూపు పడితే కోనసీమ కొబ్బరి చెట్లు ఎండిపోతున్నాయని చెప్పిన పవన్… pic.twitter.com/Q7XzxBzZFA
— Ponnam Prabhakar (@Ponnam_INC) June 1, 2026