Andhra Pradesh minister questions Pavan Kalyan's self-comparison to Abraham Lincoln, criticizes political claims

VISAKHAPATNAM: The IT and Industries Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Gudivada Amaranth, has expressed bewilderment over Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pavan Kalyan's comparison of himself to former US President Abraham Lincoln. Amaranth found it peculiar that Kalyan asserted defeats in the political arena would not shatter his confidence.

Responding to Kalyan's statements made during a public meeting, Amaranth alleged that the true strength of JSP became apparent in Telangana, where the party lost deposits in seven out of eight segments. He deemed Kalyan's claim that the privatization of the Vizag Steel Plant was halted due to him as ridiculous, questioning whether any official statement was released by the central government to that effect.

Amaranth highlighted ongoing protests by Vizag Steel Plant workers' unions and predicted negative results for the BJP, a party supported by Kalyan, in Andhra Pradesh, akin to the Telangana elections. He emphasized the potential for significant investments in the Vizag region if it became the executive capital of AP.

The minister condemned Kalyan's comments on the Uddanam Kidney issue, asserting that the problem arose between 2014 and 2019 during the TDP's tenure. He credited the current YSRCP government for addressing the issue, constructing a hospital and a research center, and ensuring the supply of safe drinking water to Uddanam."