Pawan calls on CM, discusses development and political issues

Vijayawada: Deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan called on chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at his Undavalli residence on Tuesday and discussed a range of issues related to panchayat raj, rural development, RWS, and forest department. Sources said they also discussed prevailing political conditions in the state the and upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.Pawan briefed the chief minister on the progress of Jal Jeevan Mission works, fund utilisation, and constituency-wise allocations for road development under the panchayat raj department. He explained the magic drain works taken up in several panchayats and said similar drains across all panchayats would help improve sanitation systems in the state.He also highlighted the need for desilting irrigation drains during the summer, which he wanted to be completed before farmers start agricultural work for the kharif season. He also shared details of the ‘Hanuman project' being implemented by the forest department. Both leaders also discussed the issues to be discussed in the assembly session. Sources said Naidu is likely to give a detailed presentation on investments and developmental works taken up in the last 20 months on Wednesday.On the political front, sources said Pawan was not happy with the govt's approach in countering the opposition attack. He reportedly told the chief minister that a sense was prevailing among the people that the govt took a very soft approach in countering allegations on various issues, including the TTD laddu ghee issue, probing the scams that took place during the YSRCP regime, and the latest TTD chairman issue. According to sources, Pawan is not happy with the latest developments in TTD, and is of the view that no stringent action was taken yet in any of the issues in which opposition leaders were at fault.Sources said Pawan also discussed the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Out of the four seats that are going to become vacant, TDP is likely to share one seat each with Jana Sena and BJP. Naidu and Pawan reportedly discussed probable candidates from both parties.