No State Is Anyone’s Jagir: Pawan Kalyan

Jana Sena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday mounted a strong defence of his controversial remark that Telangana was nobody’s “jagir”, declaring that no individual or political party could dictate where he could travel or engage in political activity within India.

Addressing the national media in New Delhi, Pawan Kalyan asserted that Jana Sena, which was founded in Telangana, had every right to strengthen its presence in the state. Pointing to the party’s growing support base of nearly 1.5 lakh registered members, he said the aspirations of its cadre and supporters could not be ignored.

“The country belongs to all Indians. Every citizen has the right to go anywhere and participate in public life,” he said, explaining that his use of the term “jagir” was intended to emphasise that no region could be treated as the exclusive domain of any individual or political force.

The Jana Sena chief argued that any attempt to prevent him from entering Telangana or carrying out political activities there would amount to a violation of his constitutional rights. He also alleged that resistance to his political outreach emerged only after the Congress assumed power in the state, noting that similar objections had not surfaced during the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s decade-long rule.

Responding to criticism over his remarks, Pawan Kalyan said he had been subjected to sustained political attacks over the past year and questioned why his statement had triggered such a strong reaction. Reiterating his position on Telangana, he said he had never opposed the state’s formation but had objected to the manner in which the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh was carried out.

Expanding the debate beyond state politics, Pawan Kalyan cautioned against framing national issues through a North-South divide, warning that excessive regional polarisation could weaken the foundations of national unity.

Leaders occupying constitutional positions, he said, should avoid rhetoric that fuels regional divisions. Recalling the integration of more than 570 princely states after Independence, he noted that India’s unity had been achieved through immense effort and should not be undermined by divisive narratives.

Drawing a parallel, he argued that questioning his political activities in Telangana was no different from questioning national leaders who campaign outside their home states.

Pawan Kalyan said the younger generation was increasingly rejecting divisive politics and expected leaders to focus on governance, public concerns and practical solutions rather than regional identities and political rhetoric.