Kalyan objects to police ban on Telangana Jana Sena event

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan asserted his party's right to operate in Telangana on Tuesday, following the denial of police permission for a Jana Sena Party meeting in Hyderabad. The political controversy has ignited a sharp exchange between Kalyan and leaders of Telangana's ruling Congress party.

The Hyderabad Police rejected the request for a Jana Sena "Sadhaks" meeting scheduled at a convention hall in Gachibowli, citing law and order concerns. Authorities stated the decision was made to ensure public peace, noting the event coincided with Telangana Formation Day celebrations and referenced recent tensions stemming from remarks by a political analyst and subsequent criminal cases registered in Andhra Pradesh. Organizers for the event, which was expected to draw around 2,000 participants, are reportedly planning to seek court permission.

In a press conference at his Hyderabad residence, Kalyan, the founder of Jana Sena, strongly objected to the police action and criticism from some Telangana Congress leaders. He framed the issue as a matter of constitutional rights, questioning whether India required internal passports. Kalyan alleged a few Congress leaders...