Pawan also questioned some of the relief measures being provided by the TDP and the lack of power in many areas.
Actor-politician and Jana Sena Party Chief Pawan Kalyan on Thursday evening began travelling to areas affected by Cyclone Titli in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam District. Taking to Twitter, Pawan said that he would update the details gathered from his visit on social media and also hit out at the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state.
Taking to Twitter, Pawan said, "I will keep updating my Twitter timeline with photos and videos of the damage caused by 'Cyclone Titli' while I travel. The world doesn’t know the extensive damage caused by it."
Responding to criticism from the TDP that Pawan was not concerned about those affected by the cyclone, the JSP chief said, "I request TDP leaders to see that JSP is a responsible political party and wish that they stop criticising our field visits. Don't forget we played a instrumental role in TDP’s win. To TDP leaders, you will be accountable for every meaningless word of criticism against us in the future. Measure your words. Nothing goes unnoticed."
"I didn’t want my visit to be a hindrance to cyclone affected areas as the government machinery initiated relief efforts. Because of this, I delayed my visit. TDP leaders should show some restraint while they criticise us," he added.
He also questioned some of the relief measures being provided by the TDP and the lack of power in many areas.
"In Srikakulam, even as families are affected and pouring out their grief, the AP government launches an App urging people to upload photos and geotag the damage that was caused to them. However, the Irony is that even six days after the cyclone, half the villages are still under darkness," he said.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Minister Nara Lokesh and Srikakulam MP B Ram Mohan Naidu have appealed to people from across the world to donate to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to help rebuild the lives of those affected by the natural disaster.
Stating that Cyclone Titli struck on October 11 with high winds of up to 165 kmph, followed by flooding, heavy rain ranging from 10 to 43 cm and storm surges, Lokesh said that the state government was working full-time in restoring normalcy in the affected areas.
Days after the attack on him inside Vizag airport, Andhra Pradesh Opposition leader and YSRCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy has written two letters to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. While in one he sought central intervention on the attack, in the other one he sought assistance to the state government towards Cyclone Titli relief measures by releasing funds.
The letters were submitted to Rajnath Singh by a YSRCP delegation led by Rajaya Sabha MP Vijayasai Reddy and party senior leader and former MP YV Subba Reddy along with other leaders.
Calling the attack unfair and motivated, Jagan sought intervention from the Centre in the investigation into the attack. He said that he was attacked by an unknown assailant on the pretext of taking a selfie from close physical proximity.
Claiming that the investigation into the case by the state government was “undertaken in a predetermined and deficient manner”, Jagan stated that local inquiries had arrived at a “premature conclusion” and tried to portray the attack as an “internal ploy” of the YSRCP.
Calling the quick response by Andhra DGP RP Thakur, where he claimed that the attack was merely motivated by a desire to gain some public attention, as “hasty” and “improper ascertainment” and an attempt to minimise, Jagan said it was tailored to suit the interests of the ruling TDP government.
Jagan has also stated that the state government machinery is working with the “ulterior motive of trivialising” the attack on him. He alleged that CM Chandrababu Naidu, through his press statements, made blatant attempts to “misguide the investigation progress” by claiming that the attack was internal and done to seek sympathy ahead of the upcoming elections.
He also wrote that CM Naidu was trying to dilute the “gruesome” attack on him by claiming it was scripted for ‘Operation Garuda’. TDP circles have been claiming that this was a campaign orchestrated by the BJP-led union government in order to destabilise the state.
Jagan stated that he was absolutely certain that the investigation agencies, which are under the control of the state government, would not “effectively discharge their functions”.
He urged the union minister to entrust an investigation agency that is not under the control of the state government, to ensure that the inquiry would not get “vitiated” and the real reasons behind the attack will be unearthed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile, on Sunday the Vizag City Police produced the assailant J Srinivasa Rao before the VII Metropolitan Magistrate Court after he had been arrested under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC.
Funds for cyclone relief sought
While informing the union minister that Cyclone Titli had cost several lives and resulted in widespread damage in the area, Jagan said “urgent assistance from the central government is positively imperative at this juncture to provide relief to the state.”
Jagan told the minister that the state government’s estimation of Rs 3,435 crore is an amount that is necessary for restoration in the cyclone-hit areas, while urging immediate and adequate assistance from the central government.
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