Pawan Kalyan Defends PM Modi, Asks: 'What Does New Generation Know?'

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Saturday came out in stout defence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning whether the younger generation is aware of the struggles he has faced. His remarks came during a public meeting after inaugurating the Rs 5,700-crore Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, near Visakhapatnam.

Kalyan's comments appeared to be in response to recent protests by the CJP, a group demanding the resignation of former Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan over an alleged exam paper leak. During these protests, some demonstrators reportedly used abusive language against PM Modi.

“The more you work, the more you get criticised… what does the new generation know? The struggles he (PM) went through,” Kalyan said. He added that PM Modi's “heart moved, eyes welled with tears and felt bad” over the abuses.

Kalyan lamented that many people were lashing out at PM Modi with “unspeakable words,” questioning if this was the reward for those who toil for the country. He noted that PM Modi “did not take even a single day's leave” and is fighting not only enemies abroad but also “western countries envious of our development” and domestic adversaries to take forward development.

He asserted that while many people are pulling back the aspirations of 144 crore people, one person is taking it forward, underlining that this “one and only leader” was PM Modi. According to Kalyan, there is “no leader who can beat PM Modi in the country and nobody will emerge.”

The Jana Sena founder credited PM Modi for the development of the airport in north Andhra Pradesh and for attracting investments worth lakhs of crores of rupees to the state. He called the Bhogapuram Airport a result of supporting a leader like Modi and an answer to his yearning to form an alliance with the BJP and TDP.

In the backdrop of the recent protests, Kalyan gave an “advice” to parents of children below 25 years of age, urging them to keep their wards on the right track and emphasise the importance of teaching them the right values.

“I am saluting the feet of such a Prime Minister. Your class is very inspiring,” said Kalyan, reflecting on PM Modi forgiving the people who had allegedly abused him. He added that it is very difficult to run a family, let alone 140 crore people, and called on people to stand by the PM.

Kalyan also said power will remain with Narendra Modi and that he should relinquish it only when he “doesn't desire it.” He said they would strive endlessly towards this goal.