Jana Sena will contest elections in Telangana: Pawan Kalyan

Jana Sena Party (JSP) president and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday (June 02, 2026) made a dramatic announcement that his party will contest the Telangana Assembly elections in 2029, turning a denied public meeting into a political flashpoint.

Speaking at a press conference from his Jubilee Hills residence, Mr. Pawan Kalyan forcefully asserted that JSP will not retreat from Telangana. He dared his detractors to “touch him,” equating their threats to the intimidation he faced from YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh. “Is Telangana your jagir? I stay here, you can come and attack me,” he declared, insisting that his love for Telangana was longstanding and not politically opportunistic.

The JSP chief accused Congress leaders of indulging in divisive rhetoric and urged the Centre to intervene. He said the manner in which his detractors were targeting him required national attention, as such comments were intended to create differences among people. He demanded accountability from Congress leaders, questioning how they could oppose his entry into Telangana when leaders like Indira Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi had contested from constituencies outside their home States without controversy.

In a carefully worded address coinciding with the Telangana Formation Day celebrations, Mr. Pawan Kalyan targeted the Congress Party while praising Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) founder K. Chandrashekhar Rao, notably avoiding any reference to the BJP. He lashed out at Congress leaders for opposing him “tooth and nail,” and demanded answers for remarks by some Congress voices who had praised Pakistan during TV debates.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan also expressed displeasure at repeated targetting of people of Andhra origin. “How long will you keep abusing Andhra people? If they were unwelcome, how would they live here?” he asked. He clarified that he was not opposed to Telangana itself but to the manner in which the bifurcation was carried out behind closed doors in Parliament in 2014. He reiterated that JSP would be the first to raise its voice if Telangana were betrayed, stressing that his affection for the State was born of genuine love and attachment, not votes.

The JSP leader addressed the controversy over political analyst K. Nageshwar’s remarks, clarifying that while party cadres reacted strongly, he personally had no role in the FIRs filed. He challenged allegations about his farmhouse, promising to hand it over to the government if proven illegal, and expressed respect for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

He recalled his association with late revolutionary balladeer Gaddar, criticizing parties for ignoring him when he suffered bullet injuries. He used the opportunity to highlight JSP’s donation of crores to the Kondagattu temple in Jagtial district, underscoring his respect for Telangana’s culture. He reminded that JSP was born in Telangana and that youth leaders had been active since 2007–08. He noted that while his entry into politics was opposed in Andhra Pradesh, people of Telangana welcomed his Varahi Yatra with open arms.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan insisted that JSP would never be intimidated by threats or criticism. “If I was afraid, would I have started a party at all in Hyderabad?” he asked. He emphasised that even if opponents cursed him, “Telangana will remain in my heart.” He compared the current intimidation to YSRCP’s threats in Andhra Pradesh, saying those were far more severe.

Concluding his 50‑minute press conference, Mr. Pawan Kalyan declared that Jana Sena will contest the 2029 Telangana Assembly elections and continue to expand its presence across the State.